The Thai duo of Wisut Artjanawat and Kwanchai Tannin continued to charge ahead with a four-shot lead at the halfway stage of the US$60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia at the Emeralda Golf Course on Thursday.
Wisut, a two-time winner on the Mercedes-Benz Tour and last year's player of the year, fired a 5-under-par 67 while Kwanchai shot a 69.
The pair were tied on 9-under-par 135. On the opening day, Wisut carded a 68 and Kwanchai 66 in the tournament that marks the penultimate event of the eight-series Mercedes-Benz Tour.
Indonesia's Johannes Dermawan, the general manager of the Emeralda course, had a day to remember, scoring a 67 for shared third place with Filipino Anthony Fernando, who rolled a 71.
After a season that has seen him unable to find his best form, Wisut was relieved to be playing well.
"I'm happy. I missed the cut last week in India, but today I hit the ball very well," said the 27-year-old.
"I feel more comfortable playing on the Mercedes-Benz Tour."
He excelled last year, winning the Mercedes-Benz Masters events in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Wisut was a star amateur, winning the individual and team titles in the prestigious Putra Cup in 2005, as was Kwanchai, once ranked the top amateur in Thailand.
"This is a great golf course," Kwanchai said.
"The greens are excellent, so it helps me play well. I'm not missing much at the moment. Hitting a lot of fairways and greens."
Dermawan credited playing with top Malaysian golfer Danny Chia for his performance. "I felt very relaxed playing with my friend Danny Chia. It helped," said Dermawan, who has been at the club for 13 years.
Chia carded a 70 and is now 2-under for the tournament.
On the same score are Singapore's Quincy Quek and Andik Mauluddin from Indonesia, who returned a 73 and a 71.
Indonesian Rory Hie carded his second 73 and is 2-over. The cut was set at 8-over-par, and in an encouraging sign for local golfers, 26 Indonesians made the cut.
Second round
135 - Wisut Artjanawat (Tha) 68-67, Kwanchai Tannin (Tha) 66-69 139 - Johannes Dermawan (Ina) 72-67, Anthony Fernando (Phi) 68-71 140 - Gene Bondoc (Phi) 69-71 141 - Maan Nasim (Ina) 72-69, Felix Casas (Phi) 73-68, Mohd Sukree Othman (Mas) 73-68 142 - Danny Chia (Mas) 72-70, Andik Mauluddin (Ina) 71-71, Quincy Quek (Sin) 69-73 143 - Ferdie Aunzo 73-70, Ronnachai Jamnong (Tha) 69-74 144 - Junaidi (Ina) 76-68, Chawinroj Krobteeranon (Tha) 71-73, Sanusi (Ina) 70-74, Soewarno K (Ina) 74 70
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