Chiba prefecture, Japan, May 10: Micah Lauren Shin of the United States fired a sublime four-under-par 67 to take over the lead from Thailand’s Danthai Boonma after the second round of the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup on Friday.

With the course conditions at the Sobu Country Club playing to his advantage, Shin was in his element as he marked his flawless card with four birdies for a two-day total of four-under-par 138 to take the second day’s honours.

Boonma, who held the overnight lead, looked to have fallen out of contention when he struggled to an outward 40.

The Thai however, rallied back strongly with two birdies in his last two holes to sign for a 73, moving into a share of second place with Australia’s Brendan Jones, Japan’s Tomoyo Ikemura and Korea’s Y.E. Yang.

A proven winner in Japan, Jones knows that anything can happen despite heading into the weekend just two shots back of Shin.

The Australian has been playing regularly in Japan since 2001 and won his 15^th title in Nagoya last month.

The weekend cut was set at four-over par with 60 players making it into the final two rounds.

The Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup is the Asian Tour’s first stop in Japan this season and second of four co-sanctioned events with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) this year.

Did you know?

• Micah Lauren Shin is a Korean-American. His grandparents are Americans while his mother is half-American.
• Shin is based in Davao and came through Qualifying School in 2017. He made his breakthrough that same year when he won the Resorts World Manila Masters.
• Shin’s tournament winner’s exemption ends this season and he needs to finish inside the top-60 on the Order of Merit to keep his card.
• Danthai Boonma made his breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the World Classic Championship in Singapore in 2015.
• Danthai has already won twice this year. He won a domestic event in Khon Kaen in February and followed up that victory with another on the Japan Challenge Tour in April.
• Danthai ended his 2018 season in 23rd place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and finished tied-23rd in Korea last week.
• He made his Major debut at The Open last year and has also won two gold medals at the 2012 South East Asia (SEA) Games. The Thai was also a bronze medalist at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.
• Y.E Yang is the only Asia-born male to have won a Major.
• He overcame a two-shot deficit going into the final round to finish three shots ahead of Tiger Woods, his playing partner and win the PGA Championship in 2009.
• Yang’s last victory came last year when he won The Crowns on the JGTO.
• Brendan Jones is a multiple winner in Japan and has been playing regularly there since 2001.
• The Australian’s 15th and latest win on the JGTO came at the Token Homemate Cup in Nagoya last month.

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