Khon Kaen (Thailand): Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri extended his lead with a five-under 67 after the second round of the $500,000 King’s Cup as his compatriot and overnight leader S.S.P. Chowrasia slipped to tied fifth position at the par-72 Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club here Friday.

The five-time Asian Tour winner Lahiri, who shared the first round lead with compatriot Chowrasia, compiled a two-day total of 12-under 132 to take pole position, holding a two-shot advantage over Australia’s Andrew Dodt.

Dodt also rode on his rich vein of form by making a huge move up the leaderboard with a 65 to share second place with Asian Development Tour (ADT) winner Jakraphan Premsirigorn on a total score of 134.

Local hero Thaworn Wiratchant showed age has not slowed him down by taking fourth place on 135 while Chowrasia posted 71 to slip to tied fifth with Australia’s Adam Groom, Spain’s Carlos Pigem and Thailand’s Danthai Boonma and Piya Swangarunporn.

Lahiri continued to assert himself at the Asian Tour event with another round that could edge him closer to his third win on the region’s premier Tour this year.

While it may not be similar to his opening round where he carded a 65, the Indian is still pleased with his efforts where he traded seven birdies against two bogeys on holes five and 15.

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing. It wasn’t quite as good as it was yesterday but I’m still feeling comfortable with my position,” Lahiri said.

“I made a couple of dropped shots today, missed more greens than I did yesterday. But I am happy with the way I finished, especially with those two birdies in the last four holes to pick myself up,” said Lahiri.

Other Indians in the fray, S. Chikka, who scored 69 Thursday, shared 10th position with eight others with a four-under 68.

Arjun Atwal and Rashid Khan finished tied 25th and 37th, respectively. While Atwal carded five-under 67 to take his total to 139, youngster Rashid scored 69 to add to his first round score of 71.

Rahil Gangjee, Chiragh Kumar and Himmat Rai failed to make the cut which was decided at two-under par. A total of 76 players progressed into the final two rounds.

Leaderboard:

132: Anirban Lahiri (IND) 65-67.
134: Andrew Dodt (AUS) 69-65, Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 69-65.”
135: Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 68-67.
136: Adam Groom (AUS) 70-66, Carlos Pigem (ESP) 67-69, S.S.P Chowrasia (IND) 65-71, Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 69-67, Danthai Boonma (THA) 66-70.
137: S. Chikka (IND) 69-68, Sam Cyr (USA) 72-65, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 68-69, Paul Peterson (USA) 69-68, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 69-68, Mathiam Keyser (RSA) 68-69, Phiphatphong Naewsuk (THA) 66-71, Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 69-68, Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-69.
138: Kalem Richardson (AUS) 66-72, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 70-68, Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 70-68, Lee Hyung-joon (KOR) 69-69, Poosit Supupramai (THA) 70-68, Chan Kim (USA) 72-66.
139: Blair Wilson (AUS) 73-66, Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 71-68, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 70-69, Stephen Lewton (ENG) 71-68, Daniel Chopra (SWE) 67-72, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 68-71, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 68-71, Atthaphon Sriboonkaew (THA) 69-70, Arjun Atwal (IND) 72-67, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 68-71, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 73-66, Supravee Phatam (THA) 69-70.