Defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand demonstrated resilience against severe weather conditions to maintain a two-stroke lead in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Competing at Te Arai Links in Tomarata, New Zealand, the Arizona State senior salvaged a 1-over 71 in 35 mph winds on Friday. This performance extended his total score to 7-under par, following a blistering 8-under 63 opener that set the tone for the tournament.
Defending champion fights 35 mph gusts at Te Arai Links to secure weekend advantage
The wind significantly impacted play, forcing Laopakdee into a grinding strategy that included bogeys on the first two holes and the 10th. Despite the challenging conditions, he salvaged birdies on Nos. 12, 13, and 17 to keep his lead intact. “I had a 5-footer two holes in a row and the ball just snapped 90 degrees,” Laopakdee noted regarding the erratic greens. He added that aiming adjustments were difficult, describing the round as a grind but expressing satisfaction with securing 7 under for the first two rounds.
Laopakdee, who won the third hole of a playoff in Dubai last year to become the first Thai champion in event history, now faces a tight chase from New Zealand’s Cooper Moore. Moore sits second at 5-under par after shooting a 70, while Ryan Xie and Zack Swanwic follow at 4-under and 3-under, respectively. Only seven players are under par after two days, with the winner earning automatic entry into the Masters and British Open.
Source: Yahoo Sports
