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span class="caption" style="width: 248px;">The leader: Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand waves to fans at the ninth hole during the second round of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters golf tournament at the Royale Golf Club in Jakarta on Friday. Thongchai led by two shots. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)Thongchai Jaidee roared to first place at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters golf tournament after the second round on Friday.

In fourth place at the start of the day, Thongchai posted an immaculate seven birdies to score a 65 for an overall 10 under par 134 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

Australian Scott Barr carded a 68 to trail the leader by stroke, with fellow Aussie Wade Ormsby one stroke behind in third.

Three more Australians Scott Hend, Jake Higginbottom and Kieran Pratt are in a tie for fourth with Hung Chien-yao (Taipei), Ernie Els (South Africa).

'I played very solid in both rounds. I holed a lot of putts to make a low score. I think the game changed when I holed a lot of putts. I have a chance to go even lower in the next few days,' Jaidee said.

The three-time Order of Merit winner hopes to carry his momentum through to the end of the tournament on Sunday.

'I hope I can keep my confidence high for the next few days. If I drive, hit and putt like today then I have a good chance to win the tournament,' said the 13-time Asian Tour winner.

The 40-year-old Barr who celebrates his 200th Asian Tour event at the Masters, will be hoping to commemorate the milestone by taking his first victory in the tournament, quickly followed by the the birth of his second child on Tuesday.

'I played pretty well but had a few unlucky breaks. But it's looking good ahead of the weekend. This week feels like a special week for me. I've had a lot of media attention and I feel like I'm in the limelight and ready to go. Hopefully it will be a week to remember,' he said.

Andik Mauludin shot even-par to end the second day in group which includes Darren Clarke and Thaworn Wiratchant in 50th position.

Andik is the only Indonesian to make the cut for the weekend and said Friday's round had drained his mental and physical energy with so many people putting their hopes on him.

'Just like last year, I am overwhelmed,' he said. 'I think there's a bit of luck involved here, because there are many star players who did not make it through,' he added, promising that he would try to
improve his play over the weekend.

The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters is set to feature prominently on the Asian Tour Schedule for another three years after tournament organizers announced the event received further backing from the sponsor.

The commitment from CIMB Niaga will ensure that event continues to be staged on the region's premier Tour until 2016.

CIMB Niaga promises to bring in international stars every year.

Since making its debut in 2011, the Indonesian Masters has grown into Indonesia's most prestigious international golf tournament sanctioned by the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its 10th season this year.

Over the years, the event has attracted a stellar field including Lee Westwood, a two-time Indonesian Masters champion, along with major winners, Darren Clarke and Ernie Els as well as top Asian Tour stars.

'Our commitment toward the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters underscores the success of the tournament to date and we're confident that it will continue to grow as one of the premier sporting event in Indonesia,' Arwin Rasyid, president director of CIMB Niaga Tbk, said. Arwin.