Ben Campbell’s bid to defend his Link Hong Kong Open title is shaping up nicely, as the Kiwi golfer fired an impressive five-under-par 65 to claim the halfway lead at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling.
With a total score of 12-under, Campbell heads into the weekend one shot ahead of first-round leader Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand.
Campbell’s Calm Precision
Campbell, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, demonstrated his comfort on the Fanling course, delivering a bogey-free round.
His performance included four birdies on the back nine and another on the front, showcasing a patient and methodical approach.
“I just think it’s a course where, you know, I’m not the longest hitter, so it’s good that you just got to sort of plot your way around and just be patient, I think,” said Campbell.
Reflecting on his strategy, he added, “I hit a lot of shots to 10-15 feet today, and just played patient.
I didn’t fire at a few flags when I wasn’t quite in position and then rolled in a couple of 15-footers.”
The 33-year-old, who also triumphed at the International Series Morocco earlier this year, seems primed to continue his success this weekend.
Nitithorn’s Resilience
Nitithorn Thippong, sitting just one stroke behind Campbell, showed his mettle after a rocky start.
Beginning his round on the back nine, Nitithorn stumbled with three consecutive bogeys from the 14th hole.
However, he recovered admirably, carding a birdie on the 17th followed by three more on the front nine, finishing with a 67.
The three-time Asian Tour winner credited his new relaxed mindset and the presence of his caddie, Sebastian, for helping him stay focused.
“Actually, I didn’t think about it that much,” said the 28-year-old, about misfiring early on.
“I mean, I feel like I really flowed today, and didn’t think about if I made a bogey, but just let it go.
And it’s good that I have Sebastian, my caddie with me too, so he made me really have fun on the course and didn’t think about it.”
He was helped by chipping in for birdie on the fifth, about which he said: “I just pictured that shot chipped it and it went in.”
The Chasing Pack
The leaderboard remains tight, with three players tied for third place at 10-under: Korea’s Yongjun Bae (62), Australia’s Kevin Yuan (68), and Japan’s Kazuki Higa (68).
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s top-ranked golfer, Taichi Kho, delighted local fans by posting a 65 to join a group of five players just one stroke back.
Kho, who is returning to form after a back injury sidelined him for two months, expressed satisfaction with his play. “I thought today was a really solid round out there,” said Kho.
“I feel like I was able to capitalise on a lot of looks that I had that I quite didn’t do yesterday. I feel like I was able to really get going in my round from the first hole, and I was proud of how I was able to be in the right state of mind, being zoned in from the get-go.
Kho’s goal? To sharpen his game further and chase history by becoming the first player from Hong Kong to win the Link Hong Kong Open.
Mixed Fortunes for Rose and Catlin
England’s Justin Rose made steady progress, carding a 66 to sit at five-under.
However, American John Catlin, a dominant force on the Asian Tour this season, surprisingly missed the cut.
Despite shooting a respectable 68, Catlin’s total of one-over fell short of the two-under cut line.
Acknowledging the setback, Catlin remained philosophical: “I’ll go and work on some things and tidy some things up,” said Catlin.
“It is all in a lifetime, sometimes you make a few mistakes, and you learn from them, and you move on.
I’ve still got plenty to play for. I know where I want to be and I know what I have to do and do it, it’s all about going out there and doing it.”
The Road Ahead
As the tournament enters the weekend, Campbell’s steady hand, Nitithorn’s resilience, and Kho’s historic ambitions promise an electrifying conclusion to the Link Hong Kong Open.
With just two Asian Tour events remaining this year—the International Series Qatar and the PIF Saudi International—players are also vying for valuable points in the season-long rankings.
For more updates, visit www.internationalseries.com.
