Defending champion Fifa Laopakdee held the lead after the second round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on Friday, despite a windswept day at Te Arai Links north of Auckland in New Zealand. The position was reported by AAP News and Bruce Young Media, which both confirm Laopakdee’s lead and the challenging conditions. Laopakdee followed his opening 63 with a one-over 72, according to AAP News, to sit at seven under par overall, according to Bruce Young Media. His three-shot opening lead was reduced to two over New Zealand’s Cooper Moore, according to AAP News, after Moore finished in solo second at five under, according to the same account.
Wind battered the field at Te Arai
Only five golfers broke par in the second round, according to AAP News, from a 120-player field, according to FOGOLF. Winds of 50 km/h buffeted the field, according to AAP News, and the cut fell at 13 over, according to Bruce Young Media, or 14 over on AAP News’ account — either way, a reflection of demanding, blustery conditions on the Te Arai Links, according to Bruce Young Media. Laopakdee reached the turn in 2 under 34, but dropped shots at four of the next five holes, surrounded by a birdie at his 12th hole, according to Bruce Young Media. Trying to match Hideki Matsuyama as a back-to-back Asia-Pacific Amateur winner, according to FOGOLF, Laopakdee’s ability to limit damage on a day when most of the field struggled was itself a strong performance.
Gomez leads Australian challenge
Australia’s Harrison Gomez, at even par, is seven shots shy of the leader and the best-placed Australian after a two-under 69 on Friday, according to AAP News. Gomez, from Nudgee Golf Club in Brisbane, according to FOGOLF, produced three birdies in four holes on the back nine to move into contention, according to the same account, and sits in a share of eighth place, according to FOGOLF. Tasmania’s Jonty Lunson carded a one-under 70 to sit at one over overall, according to FOGOLF, while New Zealand’s Ryan Xie is third, three shots behind Laopakdee, after a round of 71 that included a 45-foot eagle putt, according to Bruce Young Media. The winner earns a start at the Masters Tournament and The Open, according to FOGOLF, which explains why a two-shot lead with two rounds to play matters so much.
Weekend test awaits
Moore, who finished runner-up at the New Zealand PGA Championship in March, according to Bruce Young Media, will be Laopakdee’s closest challenger, with Xie also in contention. If the wind continues, according to Gomez’s assessment quoted by AAP News, anything is possible at a tournament offering major-championship starts to the winner. Laopakdee’s experience as defending champion may prove decisive — but Moore and Xie have already shown they can handle the same brutal conditions.
