Settee and Runchanapong Lead the Charge
In a stunning display of skill and resilience, Settee Prakongvech and Runchanapong Youprayong have taken a commanding three-shot lead at the US$500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic, marking a significant moment for Thai golfers in this prestigious tournament. After the completion of the second round, both players have positioned themselves at the top of the leaderboard, showcasing their prowess on the challenging course of the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco. Settee, competing in the morning session, exhibited remarkable control amidst the tricky windy conditions, finishing with an impressive bogey-free score of seven-under par 65. This performance propelled him to a total of nine-under par, where he was joined by Runchanapong, who, despite enduring a double bogey-bogey stretch, managed to maintain his footing with a round of 70.
Strong Competitors and Rising Stars
Ekpharit Wu, another talented Thai golfer and last year's champion of the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open, showcased his affinity for windy conditions by shooting a solid 67, placing him in a tie for third at six-under par. He shares this position with Austrian golfer Niklas Regner, who recorded a round of 72. Among the other competitors, Indian golfer Karandeep Kochhar, who finished with a score of 73, emerged as the highest-ranked player from the co-sanctioning Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), tying for fifth place at five-under along with a diverse group of players, including Indian teenager Kartik Singh and Filipino Lloyd Jefferson Go. The tournament also highlighted local talent, with Ayoub Lguirati standing out as the top Moroccan player, climbing to tied 12th place with a commendable round of 67, ending at four-under par.
Settee entered the tournament on a challenging note, having missed the cut in his last five outings, but he found his rhythm on a day that tested the entire field. While many players struggled with the two-to-three club wind, Settee appeared unaffected, demonstrating composure and precision. His front nine saw him achieve four birdies, and as the wind intensified, he added three more on the back nine, including a memorable birdie on the par-4 fourth hole, which he described as feeling akin to an eagle. "I believe I perform better in windy conditions because I hit low. It doesn’t significantly affect my ball flight," Settee remarked. His newfound confidence was evident as he hit numerous fairways and made crucial putts, allowing him to emerge as a frontrunner in this competitive event.
Runchanapong also started strong, making a 20-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole, which set a positive tone for his round. Despite facing challenges with a double bogey on the fourth hole, he maintained a solid performance overall. "I was pleased with how I managed myself amid the challenges," he stated, reflecting on his round. Meanwhile, Ekpharit highlighted his satisfaction with handling the conditions well, expressing his appreciation for the wind, which he views as an ally rather than an adversary. His closing birdie on the ninth, a long putt of about 20 feet, was a high point for him in the round.
The tournament, part of the Asian Tour's three-week visit to Morocco, promises excitement as it transitions to the next big event in Rabat, the US$2 million International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco. With the performances seen thus far, the competition is heating up, and fans are eager to witness how the players will navigate the remaining rounds in this high-stakes environment.
As reported by golfdigestme.com.
