Todd Sinnot struck up the most unlikely of partnerships with his local caddy by carding a flawless seven-under-par 65 to bring himself closer to securing his Asian Tour card at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand on Thursday.
Despite their language barrier, Sinnot still received sound advice from his caddy to post a two-day total of 15-under-par 129. The Australian went on a birdie blitz with seven birdies including five in his inward-nine and has remarkably only dropped one shot in two rounds at the Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club.
With the field being cut to the leading 100 players and ties after 36 holes, Sinnot will head into the final two rounds in pole position alongside Japan’s Junya Kameshiro and compatriot Richard Green.
China’s Zheng Ou-yang also navigated his safe passage into the last two rounds after returning with a 66. The Chinese failed to make the grade in his first attempt at the Asian Tour Qualifying School last year and is hoping to make amends after easing past the cut which was set at four-under this week.
Thailand’s Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol emerged as the leading Thai in fourth position after signing for a 63 which was also enough to see him make the cut for the first time after two previous attempts.
Key Quotes:
Todd Sinnot (Aus) – Second round 65 (-7), Total -15 (129)
I didn’t perform as well as I would like to in my last few events in Australia. So I had a little break over Christmas and I feel refreshed and I’m enjoying my golf now which is nice. I’m just trying to stay as relaxed as possible and the last two rounds are probably the finest I’ve had in a while. My caddy is really cool and she’s making me laugh quite a lot which is good. She doesn’t speak much English and I don’t speak any Thai but we are always laughing and joking and trying to stay as relaxed as possible. Body language is a big thing as we are trying really hard to understand what each of us is saying. It’s quite funny. I’m staying with Jack Wilson this week and we’re really having quite some fun together with the other Aussie guys. So it has been a fun week. I was speaking to Nathan Holmes who played out here for a while but plays on the European Tour now. He was actually saying basically most Australians who are playing in Europe have gone through the Asian Tour. It’s a big stepping stone for us.
Richard Green (Aus), Second round 63 (-9), Total -15 (129)
I had a nice couple of days and I’ve been hitting it good and putting nicely. I hope to keep it going. It’s a foot into the door and that’s what you always aim to do each time you play. I need to work hard again tomorrow and keep putting myself into position. I try to keep myself where I am and try to finish off the week in the number one spot.
Zheng Ou-yang (Chn), Second round 66 (-6), Total -13 (131)
It has been great so far. I was in the first group for the last two days and I felt really relaxed as there was less pressure keeping up with the pace. But it was very hot today and I felt really uncomfortable especially when I reached the turn. I managed to drink lots of water which helped to keep me hydrated. This is the second time I’m playing in Qualifying School. I missed the cut the first time and hoping to make it this time around. There are many great success stories of players making it on the Asian Tour and I hope my story can be one of them one day.
Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol (Tha), Second round 63 (-9), Total -14 (130)
I managed to get an invite from SAT where I did not have to play the first stage. I came directly to this week’s Final Stage which is very good. I feel more relaxed as compared to the previous years where I had to start from scratch from the first stage. I did not make the cut the last two years. I just turned professional two years ago. I finished in 15th place on the domestic circuit and had three top-10s last year. I really want to play on the Asian Tour and I know I have a good chance of getting my card this week.
Arnond Vongvanij (Tha), Second round 65 (-7), Total -11 (133)
Life has been kind of rough recently. I hurt my back after playing in the Thongchai ADT event. I didn’t touch my clubs for about two weeks and didn’t get to practice much. With all the anxiety of coming over here, I didn’t practice until after Christmas. But I have my coach on my bag this week and he has been a great help. I got a good feel of the course and I’m hitting much better now. He has been helping me fix my mental mistakes. Qualifying School is always going to be a stressful week for everybody as it determines what you can do for the rest of the year. I try to treat this as any other normal tournament so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I can play well, the rest will take care of it by itself. Last season was difficult with the status I had on Tour. I didn’t get much starts and I didn’t putt too well in some of the tournaments I took part in. I put so much time in trying to fix my swing that kind of went bad when I had my shoulder injury in 2014. I spent so much time on that until my short game also struggled. But I feel it’s getting better as my swing’s improving and I’m able to devote much time to my chipping and putting now.
