Thailand Classic - Day two digest
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Everything you need to know from Friday's second round at Amata Spring Country Club.
Cabrera Bello rose to the top and home favourite Jaidee rolled back the years on day two of the 2023 Thailand Classic.
Here is everything you need to know from Friday's second round at Amata Spring Country Club.
Rafa's remarkable recovery
Rafa Cabrera Bello started brightly on Friday morning but his two early birdies were cancelled out by a double-bogey five on the difficult 17th - his eighth hole of the day. The Spaniard staged an impressive recovery, though, firing seven birdies in his last ten holes to sign for a 65 and go into the weekend two shots clear at the top of the leaderboard on 13 under par.
Aphibarnrat enjoying home comforts
Local favourite Kiradech Aphibarnrat had a productive second day, making five birdies and no bogeys in his 67 to sit just four shots back heading into the weekend. He is loving being back in his native Thailand, saying: "It’s amazing. It’s one of the best moments I’ve had in the last two years. Playing in front of my family, my dad, my mum, my wife was walking around yesterday, my manager, my friends. It’s been a lovely week so far. I haven’t seen many Thai fans over the first two rounds, but over the weekend there are a bunch of them coming over. It has been a pleasure to play at my home course as well, Amata Spring is such a lovely golf course."
Wonderful wildlife
The professionals weren't the only ones enjoying Amata Spring Country Club on Friday. This fella was having a nice afternoon out on the course until Frenchman Gary Stal chased him off!
Jaidee revisits his past
Home hero Thongchai Jaidee used to be a paratrooper, and on his return to Thailand, the eight-time DP World Tour winner revisited his past. Meanwhile on the course, he shot a 70 to make it safely through to the weekend.
Højgaard makes par fives look easy
Having already made an eagle at the course's first par five - the second hole - Nicolai Højgaard sent an enormous drive down the 537-yard 11th and only needed a wedge to reach the green in two.
