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Jeju - Thongchai Jaidee is in prime position to successfully defend his Ballantine’s Championship title after soaring to the top of the leaderboard on Friday.
The Thai ace played a marathon 35 holes in the weather-delayed event at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean island of Jeju, posting rounds of 69 and 67 to reach eight-under-par 136.
That gave him a share of the lead with Argentina’s Tano Goya, who followed up an opening 66 with a second round 70.
At the same time, organisers announced that following Thursday’s six-hour fog interruption the €2.2 million event would be reduced to 54 holes in order to ensure a Sunday finish.
The revised schedule means half the field will play their second rounds on Saturday, after which the cut will be made, paving the way for a final round shootout on Sunday.
Thongchai, who managed only one hole on Thursday before play was halted, was tired but happy after a long day in blustery conditions.
“I played very well today, both rounds,” he said. “My putting is working this week and also my irons are good. This course is tough to play when it’s windy. It was a very strong wind all day and gusting in the afternoon.”
Thongchai battled through similar conditions in last year’s Ballantine’s Championship before triumphing in a three-way playoff and he said that experience helped him this time around.
“I had a good game plan like last year. Keep it on the fairway, make sure you get on the green and, if your putting is good, you can have a low score.”
Thongchai said he would enjoy his Saturday off before Sunday’s final round. “After 35 holes today, I’m very tired,” he admitted.
“Tomorrow I’ll come back and practice a little bit, maybe hit on the driving range and try to feel good and ready for Sunday.”
Goya similarly put in a long stint on Friday, playing 34 holes. “I knew it was going to be very tough today,” he said. “I think my putting was the key. I missed a lot of greens because it was so windy and I saved a lot with the putts.
“I focused on trying to play hole by hole, shot by shot, and trying not to complain. I just had to focus,” added Goya, who collected his maiden European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open last year.
Thongchai and Goya lead by one stroke from Australian duo Brett Rumford, who carded 67-70 to stand at seven-under, and Marcus Fraser, who returned a 65 on Thursday and will play his second round on Saturday. England’s Mark Foster (66 in the first round) is two strokes behind the leaders.
Five players are grouped on five-under – Sweden’s Johan Edfors (68-71), Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (71-68), and a trio who opened with 67s, Rhys Davies of Wales, Robert Rock of England and Korea’s Ted Oh.
Also playing their second rounds on Saturday will be PGA Tour star Anthony Kim and three-time Major winner Ernie Els, who will both begin four shots off the pace after returning opening 68s on Thursday.
Six-time European Tour winner Henrik Stenson is still in contention after an opening 69.
Meanwhile, co-tournament director John Paramor explained the reasoning behind the decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes.
“Following the delays to the first round and after reviewing the amount of golf completed yesterday (Thursday), it’s become clear that the completion of 72 holes within the required time frame isn’t feasible,” he said.
“Therefore, the decision has been taken to cut down to 54 holes. It's unfortunate, but we feel it’s the best thing for the Ballantine's Championship and all of the players who are playing in it.”
Paramor confirmed that extending the tournament to Monday was not a viable option because of the air travel logjam caused by the volcanic dust cloud over Europe.
“Everybody has heard about the problems for passengers who lose their original bookings and have their flights cancelled,” he said. “It would be a disaster for some of these players if they were unable to get home.”
The Thai ace played a marathon 35 holes in the weather-delayed event at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean island of Jeju, posting rounds of 69 and 67 to reach eight-under-par 136.
That gave him a share of the lead with Argentina’s Tano Goya, who followed up an opening 66 with a second round 70.
At the same time, organisers announced that following Thursday’s six-hour fog interruption the €2.2 million event would be reduced to 54 holes in order to ensure a Sunday finish.
The revised schedule means half the field will play their second rounds on Saturday, after which the cut will be made, paving the way for a final round shootout on Sunday.
Thongchai, who managed only one hole on Thursday before play was halted, was tired but happy after a long day in blustery conditions.
“I played very well today, both rounds,” he said. “My putting is working this week and also my irons are good. This course is tough to play when it’s windy. It was a very strong wind all day and gusting in the afternoon.”
Thongchai battled through similar conditions in last year’s Ballantine’s Championship before triumphing in a three-way playoff and he said that experience helped him this time around.
“I had a good game plan like last year. Keep it on the fairway, make sure you get on the green and, if your putting is good, you can have a low score.”
Thongchai said he would enjoy his Saturday off before Sunday’s final round. “After 35 holes today, I’m very tired,” he admitted.
“Tomorrow I’ll come back and practice a little bit, maybe hit on the driving range and try to feel good and ready for Sunday.”
Goya similarly put in a long stint on Friday, playing 34 holes. “I knew it was going to be very tough today,” he said. “I think my putting was the key. I missed a lot of greens because it was so windy and I saved a lot with the putts.
“I focused on trying to play hole by hole, shot by shot, and trying not to complain. I just had to focus,” added Goya, who collected his maiden European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open last year.
Thongchai and Goya lead by one stroke from Australian duo Brett Rumford, who carded 67-70 to stand at seven-under, and Marcus Fraser, who returned a 65 on Thursday and will play his second round on Saturday. England’s Mark Foster (66 in the first round) is two strokes behind the leaders.
Five players are grouped on five-under – Sweden’s Johan Edfors (68-71), Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (71-68), and a trio who opened with 67s, Rhys Davies of Wales, Robert Rock of England and Korea’s Ted Oh.
Also playing their second rounds on Saturday will be PGA Tour star Anthony Kim and three-time Major winner Ernie Els, who will both begin four shots off the pace after returning opening 68s on Thursday.
Six-time European Tour winner Henrik Stenson is still in contention after an opening 69.
Meanwhile, co-tournament director John Paramor explained the reasoning behind the decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes.
“Following the delays to the first round and after reviewing the amount of golf completed yesterday (Thursday), it’s become clear that the completion of 72 holes within the required time frame isn’t feasible,” he said.
“Therefore, the decision has been taken to cut down to 54 holes. It's unfortunate, but we feel it’s the best thing for the Ballantine's Championship and all of the players who are playing in it.”
Paramor confirmed that extending the tournament to Monday was not a viable option because of the air travel logjam caused by the volcanic dust cloud over Europe.
“Everybody has heard about the problems for passengers who lose their original bookings and have their flights cancelled,” he said. “It would be a disaster for some of these players if they were unable to get home.”
