Asian Tour: 17-year-old leads Midea China Classic

text size

Korea teenage sensation Noh Seung-yul lived up to his reputation as one of the rising stars of Korea by blasting another five-under-par 66 to take sole possession of the halfway lead at the Midea China Classic on Friday.

The teenager carded his second straight 66 for a 10-under-par 132 total to take a two stroke lead over Australia's Terry Pilkadaris at the $500,000 Asian Tour event.

Malaysia's S. Siva Chandhran, who had earlier taken a share of the early round lead, is tied for third together with eight other players who are all bunched together on matching 135s.

Noh, who already has three runner-up finishes in his rookie year on the Asian Tour, enjoyed a blemish round that was highlighted by five birdies.

"My tee shots and putts went really well for me today and I'm hoping to continue this fine form," said the teenager who has his father carrying his bag at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club this week.

Although Noh is only 17 years old, he is already displaying signs of maturity and composure that is usually the trademark of an experienced professional.

"Playing with the more experienced players on the Asian Tour has really made me a better player. I believe that the opportunities and exposure that the Tour has given me has really help me to develop my game," added Noh.

Pilkadaris, bidding for this fourth Asian Tour win, had to overcome a nervous scare on his homeward run when he bogeyed two successive bogeys on the 13th and 14th.

The Australian, however managed to regain his composure and made up for those costly bogeys with two successive birdies at the 17th and closing 18th.

"It was really frustrating to drop those two shots at 13th and 14th. But when I was at the 17th hole, I realized that I was only a few shots behind the leader. I was so fired up that I birdied my last two holes," said the 34-year-old Australian.

Chandhran, who started the day in tied-sixth place, reeled in two successive birdies in his opening front-nine for that much needed morale booster.

The Malaysian went on to record another five birdies but not after spoiling his card with a double bogey on the par four, 13th and two other successive bogeys on the fifth and sixth.

"It was another good round for me, except for that double bogey on the 13th which I hit into the water on my second shot. If not for that and the two other bogeys, I believe that my score today would have been better," said Siva.

Home favorite Liang Wen-chong of China carded a 70 for a 138 total and finished tied for 23rd place.

A total of 72 players made the weekend cut, which was set at one-under-par.