Korean Kim Do-hoon has taken the halfway lead after the second round of the Volvo China Open at Jinji Lake International Golf Club. Kim had shared the first round lead with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, and a second round of 69 ensured he maintained his advantage.
However, US PGA champion YE Yang sliced through the field to finish up just one shot behind Kim after starting the day four behind his younger countryman and Jaidee. Yang carded an impressive round of 66, which featured seven birdies but for the second day in succession dropped a shot at the 5th hole.
Yang shares second place with Jaidee, who uncharacteristically struggled with his putter enroute to a second round 70, and Welshman Jamie Donaldson. Finn Mikko Ilonen and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal share fifth spot on nine-under par.
Corev Pavin – United States’ Ryder Cup captain for this year’s Celtic Manor clash – is handily placed on seven-under par and shares that spot with Korean duo Kim Dae-hyun and Noh Seung-yul.
Later conditions proved a little tricky for the late-starters but all three of the YGT tipster’s picks are still in the thick of the action. Johan Edfors shot a second round 71 to move to five-under par while Graeme McDowall shot 70 to move to four-under par. Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher shot a round of 71 to move to three under par.
There will be a new champion at the event, however, after defending champion Scott Strange failed to make the cut following a level-par round of 72. The cut fell at level-par, which saw the likes of Thomas Bjorn, Paul Lawrie and Robert Rock also fail to make it to the weekend’s play.
Meanwhile, last year’s runner up, Spain’s Gonzalo-Fernandez Castano crept into the weekend after a two-under par 70.
