Opening-round leader Marcus Fraser carded a two-under 70 for a two-day total of nine-under 135 to take a single shot lead at the Ballantine’s Championship yesterday.
The opening round fog disruption, where almost six hours of play was lost, means the tournament on the South Korean holiday island of Jeju has been reduced to three rounds so as to ensure a finish today.
Fraser regained the lead from defending champion Thongchai Jaidee and Argentina’s Tano Goya, who had earlier taken the clubhouse lead by signing for matching 136s on Friday at a windy Pinx Golf Club.
Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin matched his opening 68 to take equal second alongside Thongchai and Goya.
Fraser enjoyed another solid outing by mixing three birdies against a lone bogey on the par-four eighth to hold a slender lead heading into the final round.
“I played really well. I just didn’t make a couple of putts through the start of the round, probably the front nine, but you know, I made a couple good birdies towards the end of the round and felt like I played just as well as I did on Thursday,” the buoyant Australian said.
South Korea’s Ted Oh kept himself in contention for his career breakthrough win by carding a 70 to take a share of fifth place alongside three-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa and Australia’s Brett Rumford on 137.
Oh, who had the day off on Friday because of the dense fog, came back again strongly by carding a magical eagle three on the par-five fourth. He dropped a shot on the eighth, but recovered well with a birdie on the ninth to reach the turn in 34. Oh’s homeward run on the back-nine was, however, colored with two birdies and two bogeys.
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat held the distinction of being the only player of the day to sign for two eagles on the par-five fourth and 10th to move into a tie for eighth position with England’s Oliver Fisher on 138.
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