The day appeared to end with three co-leaders but the 27-year-old Lee went ahead after sinking a birdie on his last hole, the ninth, to surge ahead with a two-day total of seven-under par 135.

"I never led on the second day on the Asian Tour before but I will feel nothing going to the weekend. I have to focus on my game and don't worry about others,'' said Lee through his caddy brother Lee Sung-joo.

On a day when play was halted for 50 minutes because of lightning, hot-shot Chapchai tamed the Santiburi Samui Country Club, dubbed as the "Beast" for its hilly landscape, with a new course record of 64 and booked his spot in the weekend round for the first time here with a total 6-under 136.

"My goal was just to make the cut because I failed in the last two years. I felt like it was a fluke but I really hit the irons well and made excellent putts today,'' said the Thai, who beat the old mark of 65 set by Chawalit Plaphol, the title-holder, in 2005.

Currently fourth on the Order of Merit ranking, Chapchai produced a bogey-free round that was sprinkled with seven birdies on the first, third, 10th, 11th, 12th 15th and 17th. He is on the prowl for his second tour title after an unexpected victory in the TGL Classic in Hainan, China, earlier this year.

"My confidence is only 50 per cent. This course is hilly and the fairways are narrow. I have to hit the fairways and make good putts,'' added the 23-year-old Thai, who shared the second spot along with Lin, who hit a 67.

Inspired by the desire to make money to build a new home, Lin shot three birdies before enjoying a scorching finish with an eagle on the par-five ninth hole.

"This is exactly where I wanted to be as I am determined to earn some money this week. Just last week I was having a discussion with my wife about moving into a bigger house because my two kids, although still very young, are growing and need more space," said Lin, who is making his first top-20 finish this season on the Asian Tour after dismal results in all six events he has entered.

SSP Chowrasia of India was a stroke away after he shot an impressive 5-under par 66 for an aggregate 137 and joint fourth place along with Australian Adams Blyth, 68, and Singaporean Madan Mamat, who blasted five successive birdies from the 13th to 17th holes before finishing with a 65.

Unsteady Thaworn Wiratchant swapped five birdies against three bogeys for a 69 and a two-round total of 4-under 138 to grab the seventh spot along with Australian Gavin Basic.

Despite suffering cramps, Prom Meesawat improved with a 67 for a tied ninth place and total 139. The local young gun looked down and out as he began cramping on the third hole but a series of nice tee shots helped keep him in contention.

"It's difficult to walk on this hilly course and that took its toll on me on the third hole. Luckily the cramps were not serious and I hit some good shots with my driver, which really counted,'' said Prom, raising himself as one of the local contenders going to the second weekend stage. His position was shared by Gubaaz Mann of India and Taichiro Kiyota of Japan.

Defending champion Chawalit was safely through to the weekend after carding a superb 67 for two-under 140 in joint 12th. Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng also booked their spots after a 70 and 72 respectively for an aggregate one under 141 to stand at joint 16th.

The second round was suspended due to poor light, with 12 players still to finish their round.

Monty misses cut

nColin Montgomerie missed the cut at the BA-CA Open in Oberwaltersdorf, Austria, yesterday after shooting a 5-over 147 in the first two rounds.

Montgomerie had a 3-over 74 in the second round, following a 2-over 73 on Thursday.

After early play in the second round, Miguel Angel Jiminez shared the lead with Pelle Edberg and Steven Jeppesen at 9-under 133.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 

he Nation

Samui