Chopra takes Thailand lead

Sweden's Daniel Chopra took the early clubhouse lead in the rain-hit second round of the Thailand Golf Championship Friday, as big names including defending champion Lee Westwood stumbled.

Chopra sparkled for a second day at the Amata Spring course making six birdies in a five under 67 despite the delay caused by a downpour, giving him an impressive 10 under overall.

"I guess coming back to Asia always brings out the best in my putter," the Swede, who has an Indian father, said admitting to "a little bit of nerves" after the rain delay.

"A lot of great players are here and a lot of recognised names.

Some names are not so recognised, but it doesn't mean they are not as good," the 39-year-old said. Chopra led by a shot to Japan's Asian Tour rookie Masanori Kobayashi, who blitzed seven early birdies but then dropped shots after the turn including a bogey on the last, a hole that troubled many of the morning starters.

Overnight leader Charl Schwartzel moved to eight under after starting his round with a birdie and looked in strong form as he bids to go one better than last year's second place.

But it was a disappointing day for star names Westwood and Hunter Mahan, who both started promisingly but fell away with late bogeys -- the US PGA star triple bogeying the last in a spectacular collapse.

AFP