Flawless Lam assumes half-way lead

Singapore’s Lam Zhiqun has ascended to the top of the leaderboard at the half-way stage of the 2010 Asian Amateur Championship. He posted a flawless five-under-par 66 on the West Course at Kasumigaseki Country Club, the lowest round of the Championship so far, to lead the field by one stroke . Overnight leader Yosuke Asaji signed for a two-under-par 69 to remain very much in contention alone in second place.

Lam made birdies on the second, eighth, 10th, 11th and 18th holes to put himself in the best possible position to take a shot at the Masters invitation and exemption into Open Championship International Final Qualifying that are on offer for this week’s Champion.

Also making his presence felt is Australia’s Kieran Pratt. The 22-year-old, who won three significant tournaments in four starts early in the season, completed a three-under-par 68 after making five birdies and two bogeys after a round during which his putting was world-class.