Ben: ‘I think the key for today was just driving the ball really well.’
PETALING JAYA: Ben Leong held his own against a strong field with a fine two-under to take second spot at the half-way stage of the International Series Qatar in Doha.
Ben, who played in the afternoon and started on the back nine, tried hard to catch Thai leader Suradit Yongcharoenchai and reached four-under with seven to play.
However, Ben dropped his only shots of the day on five and seven before recovering with a birdie on the ninth as darkness fell.
Suradit sparkled in wildly windy weather to hold on to the lead at the Doha Golf Club with a one-under 71 on Friday.
Suradit, who started with a four-under 68, led the field on a five-under 139 total, two shots ahead of Ben (141).
American Andy Ogletree (71) and Australia’s Travis Smyth (72) are a shot further back in the Asian Tour’s third event of the season.
“Phenomenal, I’m just glad I could finish today,” said Ben, whose sole victory on the Tour came 15 years ago at the Selangor Masters.
“I think the key for today was just driving the ball really well, surprisingly with this tough condition.
“And coming back in from the front nine, I drove it well, misjudged the wind a little on my second shots. So yeah, all in all very happy,” added Ben, who carded a one-under 71 on Thursday.
