Jarrod Lyle in the hunt at Brunei Open

BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2005 Brunei Open | Round Two | 24 Jun 2005

Malaysian Danny Chia held the chasing pack at bay with a second round of five-under-par 66 to lead by one stroke at the halfway stage of the inaugural Brunei Open on Friday.

The overnight pacesetter shrugged off his first bogey of the week with four birdies and an eagle at the impressive Empire Hotel and Country Club to lead on 13-under-par 129 over fast charging Australians Terry Pilkadaris and Jarrod Lyle, who shot matching 63s.

Another Malaysian surprise, Steven Tan and upcoming Thai star Prom Meesawat share fourth place on 134, some five shots behind the leader after rounds of 67 and 66 respectively on a steamy day in the sultanate.

Chinese Taipei veteran Lin Chie-hsiang, Malaysia’s Rashid Ismail and Aussie duo Adam Fraser and Glenn Joyner were a further stroke back in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event, the first professional tournament in Brunei.

Chia, who is preparing for his maiden Major appearance at the British Open next month, kept his nose in front with a birdie on his last hole, the ninth. “It was good to birdie the last and keep my lead, especially after my bogey on the seventh hole,” said the 32-year-old, a former Taiwan Open champion.

“I didn’t strike the ball too well on my back nine but did enough to stay ahead. It’ll be important to hit the fairways regularly at the weekend as the course opens up from then on,” said Chia, who eagled the par five 15th with a three wood to four feet of the flag.

The leader was delighted to see compatriot Tan on the board, and jokingly said he would be claiming five per cent of Tan’s winnings after giving him a tip on the practice range. "It’s good to see Steven up there and I’ve told him he owes me," said Chia.

Just six years after overcoming leukemia, the 23-year-old Lyle is enjoying a new lease of life, challenging for the Brunei Open title just weeks after finishing tied second in the Macau Open.

The Asian Tour rookie enjoyed eight birdies on the card, which started with a burst of three opening birdies before reeling in another three on the trot from the 10th hole, all from within 15 feet. Two more birdies on the 14th and 15th holes saw him move menacingly up the leaderboard. “In the first round, I didn’t hole enough putts. But today, I got off to a great start and then the putter sort of dried out. But I played awesome on the back nine and gave myself chances on every holes,” said the burly Lyle.

He said having his younger brother Leighton on caddying duties has helped as he attempts to overhaul Chia. “Leighton is doing an excellent job. We talk about some interesting stuff on the course that normal people won’t talk about. Leighton and I, when we get together, we are not normal. It’s good, he really relaxes me and if I play a bad hole, he can cheer me up and he knows a lot about my game,” he said.

Pilkadaris, who broke through last year with two wins in Asia and is presently seventh on the Order of Merit, also matched Lyle’s tremendous round with eight birdies. “I putted awesome and kept holing 15 footers,” said the Aussie. "I’m not surprised to see Jarrod up there, he’s a good player and Danny is playing well too."

A surprise name was the 29-year-old Tan, who produced a strong finish with four birdies over his closing six holes. He gave credit to Chia for his good run. “I had a lesson at the range with Danny and he said some things that made sense. He felt that I was too narrow with my downswing and after making some adjustments, it’s worked out well. It’s nice to see three Malaysians on the leaderboard (including Rashid),” said Tan.

Playing in only his fourth career event on the Asian Tour, Tan was even par through 10 holes before firing some superb irons close to the pins. He knocked a seven iron to 10 feet on the fourth, a wedge to similar distance at the next hole before converting four-foot birdie putts on the eighth and ninth holes.

Tan said he was also very relaxed on the course as an old friend is caddying for him this week. In fact, they had to endure an eight-hour drive from neighbouring East Malaysia to get to Bandar Seri Begawan. “We’re just having fun out there and that’s why I’m probably so relaxed. You can’t get too serious as this game will chew you up,” said Tan, a four-year professional.

Prom, 20, enjoyed an unblemished card with five birdies moving him up to a share of fourth place. He was particularly delighted to birdie the demanding 18th hole, which played as the most difficult during the first round and second most difficult today.

“I hit a great six iron from out of the fairway trap that landed 10 feet of the pin. I was thinking of only par, so birdie is huge bonus on this hole,” said Prom, who has two top-10s this season. “Five shots back on this course is nothing as there are many birdies out there. I’m feeling good with my game after working hard over the last few weeks, especially with my putting.”

Current Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant slipped to tied 10th place after a roller-coaster 71 which included an eagle, three birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey on the 18th hole.

Canadians Darren Griff and Rick Gibson, Scotland’s John Wither, American Andrew Pitts and Australian Adam Le Vesctonte, the reigning Philippine Open champion, are on 136 alongside Thaworn.

Source – Asian Tour