Rafa Cabrera bello, a four-time European tour winner, shot a 7-under 65 Friday to rebound from a double bogey at an island hole and took a two-shot lead in the Thailand Classic.
The 38-year old Spaniard began on the 10th green and had back-toback birdies on 11th and 12th. He then tee-toed into the water on the floating hole 17th, which resulted in his first dropped shots of this tournament.
Cabrera Bello made two putts to avoid the double bogey. He then recovered quickly to score a birdie at the 18th. Then, he went on to win six more on the front nine. This included four straight holes starting at hole No. 5 for a total of 13-under 131
[The 17th]Cabrera bello said that the hole was difficult and it was windy. I hit a good shot but I got a wind gust. I just kept my head down, and focused on what was going on. The birdie at 18 got me back on track, and I played a great front nine.
Two shots behind was Fabrizio Znotti from Paraguay in second place. Zanotti, who is a two-time winner on the tour, had four birdies, one eagle, and the seventh hole was his last before bogeying the 16th for a 67 to complete his day.
Zanotti stated that he was able to take advantage of the par fives. Today it was a little tricky due to the wind. You need those birdies so that you can play a little less relaxed on the tough holes.
Kazuki Higa from Japan won the best round with a 64-foot round. He joined a chasing pack consisting of six players in third, three shots behind Cabrera bello. They include Yannik Paul of South Africa, Alexander Knappe of Germany, Thriston Lawrence from South Africa, Thriston Higa of Japan, and the Thorbjorn Olesen-Christoffer Bring duo from Denmark.