Shinichi Suzuki hung tough with a one-over-par 71 to seize a one-shot lead after two rounds in the 88th Singha Thailand Amateur Open at the Panya Indra Golf Club in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday.
The 14-year-old Filipino-Japanese, who teed off at the back, finished 36 holes on 1-over 141.
He had a big start of two birdies to reach the turn on 2-under before he made his first bogey on 2. He dropped another shot on 6, birdied 7 before closing with successive bogeys.
Three Thais — Surach T., Parin S. and Ashita P. — and Indian Bahl Jai were one shot behind on 142 after scoring 67, 70 and 71, respectively.
RIANNE Mikhaela Malixi improves with a 68 to share second place in Bangkok, Thailand.
The other Filipino bets were out of the running.
Kristoffer Arevalo, who will spearhead the country’s campaign in the Nomura Cup next month, made only one birdie against six bogeys for a 75 and 12-over 152 total.
Gabriel Manotoc failed to make a single birdie in a round of 80 marred by five bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey. He’s on 13-over 153.
Jet Hernandez, on the other hand, was on 155 after a 76.
In women’s play, Rianne Mikhaela Malixi fired a two-under par 68 to remain the only Filipina in contention.
Malixi, the 15-year-old prodigy who won four pro tournaments back home, improved her first-round score by sinking four birdies against two bogeys to tie for second place with Thailand’s Prim P. on 3-under 137.
Malixi and Prim, however, are six shots behind runaway leader Natthakritta V. who carded a 66 in the second round.
Lois Kaye Go, who opened with a 77, shot a 70 to climb into a tie for 13th spot on 7-over 147.
Mafy Singson, on the other hand, continued to struggle with a 76 for a share of 32nd on 153.
Sunshine Burberry Zhang was in joint 45th on 159 after a 79, Abby Abarcas tied for 55th on 165 following an 83 while Laurea Duque was in joint 56th after an 84.