From World Sport Group

Singapore, November 9: Former world junior champion Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand underlined his huge potential by heading the second day of qualifiers for the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open on Sunday.

The beefy 19-year-old, who only turned professional 11 months ago after a glittering amateur career, stormed to a seven-under-par 65 over the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.

He was joined in the elite line up at the Barclays Singapore Open from November 13-16 by the Malaysian duo of Shaaban Hussein and Rashid Ismail who carded matching 66s.

Hong Kong-based Englishman Nick Redfern, a regular on the Omega China Tour where he finished 19th on the 2008 Order of Merit, also won a dream ticket from a seven-man play-off after shooting a 68 in regulation.

Singapore amateur Jonathan Woo, who was a member of the successful Lion City Cup (junior Putra Cup) team in August, and the Thai duo of Pornsakon Tipsanit and Piya Swangarunporn will fight it out for the final spot on Monday morning after the play-off was suspended because of darkness after four holes.

Thailand’s Pariya Junhasawasdikul, winner of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore at Laguna National Golf and Country Club on Saturday, Jay Bayron of the Philippines and Anis Helmi Hassan of Malaysia were eliminated from the play-off.

Kiradech, who was runner-up in both the SEA Games and Putra Cup amateur tournaments last year, bogeyed his second hole of the day before finding his range and shooting six birdies and an eagle.

“I hit the ball really well today and had a number of short birdie putts,” said Kiradech, who made it through to the final stage of the Japan Golf Tour qualifying last week. “The Barclays Singapore Open is a huge tournament, the biggest I have ever played in, but I will not be going out just to make the cut.

“Every tournament I play in I look to win or be in the top five or top 10.  I have only been a professional for under a year and I am still learning.”

Rashid Ismail shot six birdies in a blistering back nine to make it through to the Barclays Singapore Open where he finished 15th in 2006. “I am looking for a repeat performance,” he said. “I have good luck at the Barclays event.”

Redfern hit a brilliant seven iron from the bunker to 12 feet at the first play-off hole and nailed the birdie.

“I feel over the moon, said the 35 year old. “I feel very confident – my aim is to be in the mix next Sunday afternoon.”

Woo shot six birdies and a damaging double bogey on his way to a 68.

“It will be a great experience playing in a tournament with such big names if I can get through,” said the 18-year-old Woo.

Earlier in the day, Filipino amateur Ferdinand Aunzo was the last player standing after a seven-man play-off for one spot that was held over from Saturday evening.

The 28-year-old prevailed at the fifth playoff hole – two of them on Sunday – with a par on the 18th hole.

He joined Chinese Taipei’s Chan Yih-shin and the Thai trio of Ekalak Waisayakul, Pornpong Phatlum and Siraphop Srisakorn who grabbed their spots on Saturday.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, the winner of both the British Open and PGA Championship this year, world number two Phil Mickelson, South Africa’s ‘Big Easy’ Ernie Els and two-time Barclays Singapore Open champion Adam Scott of Australia are the main drawcards for the Asian Tour event.