Hua Hin, Thailand, December 27: Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong topped the class by signing for a second round seven-under-par 64 to lead the field into the next round at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Thursday.

Sweden’s Christoffer Baumann along with Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Australia’s Zach Murray, who signed for matching 10-under-par 132 totals to be bunched in second place, are among the leading 140 players and ties who will continue their journey.

They will play another two more rounds before a further cut for the final round is made where only the leading 70 and ties players will feature on Sunday at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club.

At the conclusion of 90 holes, the leading 35 players and ties will be ranked accordingly for the 2019 season.

Choo Tze Huang of Singapore

India’s Aman Raj and Korea’s Taewoo Kim together with Jeremy Wendelken and Austen Truslow of the United States will also continue their journey as they take fifth place with their 133 total.

Having missed out on his chance to secure his Asian Tour card earlier this year, Poom is relishing the opportunity of having another chance of doing so again this week.

The Thai believes his experience of playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) has prepared him well for the gruelling task ahead and is confident of rising to the occasion.

The second round of the Qualifying School saw two hole-in-ones being recorded on the par-three 16 where Baumann and Truslow enjoyed their moment of glory with their aces.

Did you know?

• Poom Pattaropong graduated from James Madison University in the United States last December. He plied his trade on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) since missing the mark at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January.
• He enjoyed a particular good run of form from August to October, notching four top-fives in six starts on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
• Poom was in the seven play-off hole duel against Miguel Carballo at the ADT Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August. He eventually finished tied-second behind Carballo.
• He eventually finished in 15th on the 2018 ADT Order of Merit.
• Aman Raj turned professional in 2016 and went on to top the class at the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) Qualifying School in 2016.
• Raj won the Emerging Player of the year, with the highest earnings among all rookies during that season.
• Raj finished fifth at the 2018 Panasonic Open India, his best result so far on the Asian Tour.
• He was placed 107th on the 2018 Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.
• Austen Truslow topped the Section B last week to earn a spot in the Final Stage of Qualifying School.
• His ace on 16, which came courtesy of his six-iron from 196 yards, was the first hole-in-one he has made in his professional career.
• Jobim Carlos earned his first Tour card in 2016 via Qualifying School. However, he has only made the cut at one out of the seven tournaments he competed in.
• He was eliminated after two rounds of the 2018 Qualifying School.
• Carlos topped the 2018 Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit.
• Sean Kelly turned professional in 2016 and played two years on the PGA TOUR Canada and on the web.com last year.

Players’ Quotes

Poom Pattaropong (Tha) Second 64 (-7) Total 131 (-11)

I missed out on securing my Tour card earlier this year and hopefully I can get the job done in my second attempt this week. I learnt a lot about myself after that play-off loss to Miguel Carballo. I learnt a lot from Miguel that week and that was my best finish for the year. I took up golf when I was seven when my dad took me out to the range. I went to school in Australia when I was 13 and then to high school and college in the US. I came back last year, turned pro and played on the ADT. My greatest strength has definitely been my short game and I hope to use that to my advantage this week.

Christoffer Baumann (Swe) Second round 68 (-3), Total 132 (-10)

It was almost the same as yesterday. I did not get off to a good start but then I played better in my back-nine. I was struggling a bit with my iron shots but that hole-in-one really lifted me. I three-putted on 15 but got that hole-in-one on 16 which was a big help for me today. I aimed straight at the pin and this is my third hole-in-one. Actually I also made one at Q school two years ago and it’s nice to make another one this week.

Aman Raj (Ind) Second round 64 (-7) Total 133 (-9)

I’ve been playing decent golf and have been trying to score well, which I managed to do today. I just want to go with the flow and take whatever comes my way. It has been one of the best seasons since I turned professional. I finished sixth on the PGTI and I won my first professional tournament in Jaipur and also finished second in Bangalore. So it has been going pretty okay and it would be wonderful to top it all with an Asian Tour card this week. I’ve got a few starts on the Asian Tour and I hope to take all those experience and make the best use of it. I played a lot of junior golf with Shubhankar and I was happy to hang out with him in Jakarta recently. He has been playing so well and it’s really motivating to see him do well and follow likewise.

Austen Truslow (Usa) Second round 66 (-5), Total 133 (-9)

It was my first hole-in-one in a tournament and it’s really exciting. I hope that is a sign of good things to come. I didn’t score as well as I could have today. It could have been a much better round. I got three more rounds to go and it’s all about sticking to my routine and as long as I can do that, I should be okay.

Jobim Carlos (Phi) Second round 66 (-8), Total 134 (-8)

I played the par-three well and my irons were good today. I could have played the par-five better but overall, I’m happy with my round. Topping the local order of merit has shown how consistent I can be with my game throughout the year. I see that as a huge confidence boost heading into this week and next year. I got my Asian Tour card as an amateur in 2016 but I didn’t have a good season that year. But it feels good to know that I have done it before and I can do it again.

Sean Kelly (Usa) 69 (-2), Total round 134 (-8)

I’m happy as my caddie and I plotted our way around the course very well. It has been a great experience and this is my first trip to Asia. There’s a lot of new things happening and I’m happy with what’s trending so far. A friend of mine actually convinced me to come over and I thought why not? I know John Catlin and I’m trying to follow what he’s doing and get out there and play well.