SHIGA, September 23, 2011 (AFP) - Korea's S.K Ho battled his way into contention at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on Friday, posting a flawless five-under-par 66 to surge into a second round lead.
Ho signed for a two-day nine-under-par 133 to take a two shot lead over South Africa's Jbe Kruger who returned with a 71 for second place at the $1.7 million co-sanctioned Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour event.
Bae Sang-Moon of Korea added a 69 to his opening 67 to take third place while Japan's Daisuke Maruyama and Katsumasa Miyamoto signed for matching 137s for a share of fourth place at the Biwako Country Club.
Thailand's Prom Meesawat and India's Jeev Milkha Singh were six shots off the lead in tied-eighth, after both posted 139.
A multiple-winner in Japan, Ho cut his professional teeth on the Asian Tour where he has won once. Having decided to focus his career in Japan, Ho's familiarity with the country looked like it has handed him an advantage.
"I enjoy playing in Japan and I like the golf courses around here. Overall I'm happy with how I've played today. I told myself that I must stay close to the leaders and I'm happy that I was able to exceed that today," said Ho.
Starting his round in tied-second, three shots behind overnight leader Kruger, Ho made his first birdie on the fifth hole.
After reaching the turn in 34, the Korean whose full name is Hur Suk-ho, quickly made up ground with two birdies in three holes at the outward-nine.
The Korean then stormed home with another two birdies in his closing three holes.
"It's always nice to have a bogey-free round and I hope that I can maintain my good form for the weekend rounds," said Ho.
Kruger, who started in the back-nine 10th, bogeyed holes 11 and 14 before recovering with his first birdie on the par-four 15th.
The South African made the turn in 37 before going on to birdie the second fifth and seventh holes.
However it was his wayward drives that cost him dearly again as he marked his card with further bogeys on holes four and nine.
"I didn't strike the ball well today. I couldn't get it in the fairways and I couldn't attack. I just didn't have much luck," lamented the South African.
"My chipping and putting are the best that I've ever done and if I can just get the ball onto the fairways and greens, I believe I still stand a good chance this week," added Kruger.
A total of 70 players made the weekend cut which was set at three-over par.
Leading scores after round two of the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Panasonic on Friday:
133 - S.K. Ho (KOR) 67-66
135 - Jbe Kruger (RSA) 64-71
136 - BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 67-69
137 - Daisuke Maruyama (JPN) 67-70, Katsumasa Miyamoto (JPN) 70-67
138 - Kim Do-Hoon 752 (KOR) 69-69, Hiroyuki Fujita (JPN) 69-69.
139 - Michio Matsumura (JPN) 68-71, Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-71, Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 71-68, Toshinori Muto (JPN) 68-71
140 - Kaname Yokoo (JPN) 68-72, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 69-71, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-69, Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 72-68.
Selected scores
141 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE), Danny Chia (MAS) 69-72 Ryo Ishikawa (JPN) 71-70