Thailand's rising star Chapchai Nirat hopes lessons learnt in a Buddhist temple will steer him to victory at the Hero Honda Indian Open after grabbing a share of the halfway lead on Friday.
The 24-year-old Chapchai, the joint overnight leader, fired a five-under-par 67 that included seven birdies against a double bogey at the Delhi Golf Club to jointly lead the field with Chinese Taipei's Chang Tse-peng, who carded a brilliant 65, on 11-under-par 133.
Australian David Gleeson was a stroke behind following a 68 in the US $500,000 Asian Tour event, with unheralded Shamim Khan emerging as the best-placed Indian in joint-fourth place with Korea's Hur In-hoi, four shots off the lead.
Another Indian, Rahil Gangjee moved into contention with a 67 and lies in sixth place with American Gary Rusnak, who shot a 67, on 138.
Title-holder Jyoti Randhawa of India (69), S S P Chowrasia (71), Australian Unho Park (69) and Malaysia's Danny Chia (73) are bunched on 139.
During the Tour's summer break, Chapchai spent three weeks learning to become a monk, a practice common amongst Thais, as it is a mark of respect to their parents. Part of the process was meditating, which Chapchai says taught him to control his emotions.
It was put to good use, as Chapchai brushed aside a frustrating double bogey while cruising at six-under for the day.
"The double bogey on the fourth hole (13th of the day) spoilt my card but it's okay. I was in the middle of the fairway but on my backswing, my concentration was disrupted and I hit it into the jungle and had to take an unplayable lie.
"But I wasn't angry. I think the time I spent in the Buddhist temple has helped me on the golf course. The meditation has allowed me to keep my emotions on an even keel and I don't get angry these days. I wasn't angry after the double bogey," said Chapchai.
Currently fifth on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, the beefy Thai, who is nicknamed "King Kong" for his big-hitting game, hopes to live up to his billing as the highest ranked player in the field.
"Every time I was on the fairway, I knew I could put it close to the pins," said Chapchai, who has left his driver and three wood in the hotel room and is using only irons off the tee to negotiate the tree-lined Delhi course.
"I'm feeling confident. I'm going to try to aim for a 20-under-par total as that could be the winning mark as the scores have been generally good," added Chapchai, winner of this season's TCL Classic in China.
Despite an impressive amateur record, Chang, 37, has failed to achieve a career first victory on the Asian Tour over the past decade but he is hoping to set the record straight at the Hero Honda Indian Open.
Like Chapchai, Chang is not utilising his driver and he posted an unblemished card which included seven birdies.
"I just kept the ball in play from the tee and focused on my second shots. I focused on playing from point to point.
"I have been working on changes to my swing and mental side for the past six months but this week I have stopped all of that. I have cleared my mind completely of all changes. I am just thinking about playing the course," said Chang.
Little-known Khan emerged the highest placed Indian heading into the weekend rounds. The 28-year-old could pull of a dream win on a course which he began his association with as a caddie some 14 years ago.
"I'm happy to be in this position. I was putting and chipping quite nicely. It was quite windy in the afternoon and I managed to hold my score together," said Khan, who shot a 69.
His lone victory in India came two years ago at the challenging Delhi Golf Club when he won the All-Indian Matchplay and while lifting the national Championship would make him an instant hero, Khan is not going to get ahead of himself.
"I'm going to keep pushing and play my own game. I don't want to think about winning at all. I just want to focus on keeping the ball in play here as it is a challenging course to play on," said Khan.
The halfway cut was set at two-over-par 146 with Indian star Jeev Milkha Singh, last year's UBS Order of Merit champion, needing a courageous birdie on the last hole to squeeze in right on the number.
Local amateurs Rahul Bakshi, Rashid Khan and Ganga Verma made it a proud day by surviving the cut.
Leading second round scores
133 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 66-67, Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 68-65
134 - David Gleeson (AUS) 66-68
137 - Shamim Khan (IND) 68-69, Hur In-hoi (KOR) 66-71
138 - Gary Rusnak (USA) 71-67, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 71-67
139 - Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 70-69, Unho Park (AUS) 70-69, Danny Chia (MAS) 66-73, Gaurav Ghei (IND) 66-73, S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 68-71
140 - Martin Rominger (SUI) 68-72, Peter Senior (AUS) 70-70, Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 72-68, Adam Groom (AUS) 72-68, Mars Pucay (PHI) 70-70, Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 70-70
141 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 70-71, Ross Bain (SCO) 69-72, Keith Horne (RSA) 71-70, Bryan Saltus (USA) 69-72, Ashok Kumar (IND) 68-73.
Photograph: Chapchai Nirat
