Hiratsuka leads - Barnes improves
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2011 Sun Chlorella Classic | Round Two | 29 Jul 2011
Tetsuji Hiratsuka leads the Japan Golf Tour’s Sun Chlorella Classic in Hokkaido at the completion of 36 holes, the winner of five Japan Golf Tour titles stealing a four shot break on the field.
39 year old Hiratsuka, who finished third in this event twelve months ago, added a second round of 66 to his opening 65 to lead over Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat with Tadahisha Inoeu one shot further back in third position.
Kurt Barnes, playing in just his second Japan Golf Tour event of the season, produced a second round of 65 to be the leading Australasian in 12th position at 3 under although 10 shots behind the leader. It was a good bounce back for Barnes who missed the cut at the recent Open Championship.
It was also a huge turnaround from Barnes’opening round of 76, a round in which which he had dropped three shots in his final two holes.
Barnes now has very little status on the Japan Golf Tour although in his only other event there this season he finished in 7th position at the Crowns Tournament. Barnes also won on the OneAsia Tour in Korea in May, the two finishes saving a career that appeared to be in trouble prior.
Steve Conran who finished 3rd last week at the Sega Sammy Cup is the next best Australasian just one shot behind Barnes while rookie Neil Sarkies from NSW is has made a solid enough start to be another shot further back in a share of 36th position.
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