Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand took the lead at the BNI Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club on 12-under after a 69 today after a nine-under-par 63 yesterday.
Rashid Khan of India and Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe are tied for second after shooting their second consecutive 67s in the US$2 million Asian Tour tournament of The International Series.
Chang Wei-lun of Taiwan shot 66 and is behind Filipino Angelo Que, who shot 69.
Canadian Richard T. Lee, overnight leader after a 62, plays in the afternoon.
Jazz won this event in 2019, four times on the Asian Tour, and the Order of Merit, and he appears to be in form heading into the weekend after a disappointing season.
He finished tied 12th in the International Series Thailand last week, his highest performance of the season, and believes converting to a broomstick putter has helped.
Jazz said, "Last week, I played a Pro-Am with my partner and used a short putter on the practice round and the Pro-Am day. My friend, an amateur, was using a broomstick putter, and I had a brief match with him and couldn't hole any putts that day.
"I borrowed his putter and putted for the last three holes, and I thought, maybe I should use a broomstick. I have to thank him for changing me and giving me my best finish of the year.”
Khan claimed something snapped with his swing two weeks ago at the Black Mountain Championship despite his worst season.
“I have been really struggling this year,” said the Indian, who won the SAIL-SBI Open and Chiangmai Golf Classic a decade ago.
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Kieran Vincent. Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour photo.
I wanted something golf-related. Black Mountain gave me the answer I was seeking for. Everything went well after that.
I couldn't say because I was working on a lot. I couldn't feel my club on the backswing because I wasn't gripping properly. I'm amazed with my ball-hitting skills. One or two modifications can click and get you playing well.”
Since he neglected to enter the International Series Thailand and the Black Mountain Championship, he practiced in Bangkok last week. Despite missing the cut, he obtained an invite.
Indian defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar shot 71 and sits three under, with the halfway cut looking like two under.