SAMUI (Thailand): Malaysia’s Danny Chia fired a stunning eight-under 63 to move into joint second spot at the halfway stage of the Queen’s Cup at the Santiburi Samui Country Club yesterday.
Danny, Malaysia’s first winner on the Asian Tour when he bagged the 2002 Taiwan Open, soared with two eagles and six birdies to share second spot with Japan’s Yoshinobu Tsukada on 134.
Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil charged into a three-shot lead with a superb six-under 65 yesterday.
His near flawless display of seven birdies against a lone bogey sees him in control of the US$300,000 Asian Tour event on 11-under 131.
Last week’s Selangor Masters winner Rick Kulacz of Australia is a further stroke back after storming home in 29 for a 67 and is tied with Taiwan’s Sung Mao-chang (69) and South Korea’s Kim Dae-hyun (67).
Danny came alive with the day’s best after pulling off some brave shots over the Santiburi course, nicknamed the Beast of Samui.
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“I messed up one hole for double bogey (12th) … but apart from that, it was okay. I was striking the ball well and hit them close all day,” said Danny.
Starting from the 10th, Danny eagled the 18th, converting a 20-footer and then enjoyed a lucky break at the demanding eighth hole when his drive stopped five feet from the hazard.
He went on to strike a superb three wood from 250 yards out which ended 12 feet from the pin for his second eagle.
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