Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) had a fairly quiet Friday morning at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky, but the Frenchman was more than back in business as the day started to come to a close, pulling 1.7 seconds out his pocket near the end of FP2 to snatch first from reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). The gap was small though, with just 0.023 separating the two by the end of play…something that’s becoming a recurring theme. Just behind them, it was an even smaller gap between third and fourth: a non-existent one. Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) set identical laptimes. but the Australian’s second quickest lap means he takes third.

With rain forecast for Saturday morning, Friday took on even more importance than normal in terms of Q2 entry; the top ten on the combined timesheets potentially already decided if the weather changes. In terms of times, Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was the first major improver in FP2, soon 0.590 clear of the field in the afternoon, with his fortunes soaring early in the session as bad luck hit the other side of the Yamaha garage.

Five-time premier class Brno winner and teammate Valentino Rossi had to nurse his M1 back to the pits with just over 20 minutes of FP2 to go after a mechanical issue and at that stage, the likes of ‘The Doctor’, Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), 2016 Czech GP winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and even Quartararo were languishing outside the top 10.

That would all change in the last 10 minutes, however. Soft tyres came out to play and Marquez stuck his Repsol Honda top of the pile, with the likes of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Miller also improving just before the reigning World Champion went quickest. Then, enter Quartararo. The rookie sensation was 18th in FP1, and somehow then suddenly seared around Brno 1.7 seconds quicker to move up from P17 to take over at the top in FP2. ‘El Diablo’ is back in business and very close to fully fit after his arm pump surgery and then shoulder dislocation.

The Frenchman heads Marquez by mere hundredths then, ahead of the two Ducatis of Miller and FP1’s fastest man Dovizioso, with earlier FP2 leader Viñales pushed down to fifth overall. Rins, another who’d already bothered the top earlier in the session, ends Friday in sixth, with Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Franco Morbidelli jumping up one place from his P8 in FP1 to take P7 in FP2.

Crutchlow, Rossi and Petrucci also all put in late personal best laps to earn top 10 positions, something that could prove crucial. Crutchlow was eighth overall – a big improvement from the Brit, who managed 15th in the morning – with Rossi recovering from his mechanical issue to place ninth, one better than his FP1 effort. Petrucci climbed three places to complete that potentially crucial top ten.

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was the man to just miss out as he ends the day in 11th, just ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). The Japanese rider is close to being back to fully fit on the bike and put in a solid showing despite a crash in FP2, rider ok. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) also crashed, rider ok.

Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), meanwhile, impressed once again. The Portuguese rookie was fourth in FP1 and ends Day 1 in 13th overall, as well as being top KTM. Another impressive FP1 performer was Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Ecstar), who ended the first session in fifth. He was P17 overall.

Finally, another headline from Day 1 was some of the updates on show ahead of the post-race test on Monday. Marquez tried two chassis at the Sachsenring and – despite liking the new one – opted to race the old one. But the carbon reinforced chassis could be used for the first time in race trim at Brno. Meanwhile at Ducati, Dovizioso and Petrucci sported updated aerodynamic fairings, and Alex Rins had a new aero fairing on his Suzuki on Friday, too. Jack Miller said he had some updates but didn’t specify what, and the Aussie says he’s expecting new aero in Austria…

The likes of Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will be casting nervous eyes to the skies on Saturday, with the Spaniard down in P22 after Day 1 and looking for much more. Will it stay dry or is it a trip to Q1 for those who missed out? The top ten after FP3 will go through to Q2, and that final chance to move up the timesheets starts at 9:55 (GMT+2) on Saturday morning. Qualifying then begins at 14:10 to decide the grid.

Friday’s fastest:1 – Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) 1’55.802

2 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) +0.023

3 – Jack Miller* (AUS – Ducati) +0.269

4 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) +0.269

5 – Maverick Viñales (SPA – Yamaha) +0.282

*Independent Team rider

A tale of two rookies: ‘Diggia’ and Bulega lead the way at BrnoItalian duo head veteran Nagashima on Friday, with all three within 0.063Fabio Di Giannantonio (Beta Tools Speed Up) was quickest on Day 1 at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky, although the number 21 only 0.035 ahead of Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) by the end of play. The two rookies impressed to take to the top at the track that saw ‘Diggia’ take his first Grand Prix win in Moto3™ last season, with another impressive performance completing the top three but this from veteran Tetsuta Nagashima (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team). The Japanese rider was fastest in FP1 and ended the day within 0.063 of the top.

The sky looked fairly threatening as the day went on, but nevertheless the vast majority improved their laptimes, not least Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP), as the German moved up from P22 to lead for the majority of the session before ultimately ending the day in fourth overall. It was by the tiniest of margins, however, with Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) just 0.001 in arrears as he completed the top five.

Brno 2017 winner Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) ended Friday in sixth, just 0.016 further back, with the man marginally ahead of him in the Championship, Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), this time marginally behind him. After a tougher morning session, the number 73 took seventh, 0.061 off…and just 0.010 ahead of Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up). The trend continued for Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) as the Brit ended Friday in ninth by just 0.005.

Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) completes the top ten and beat Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brad Binder to the honour, with new Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2 rider Mattia Pasini down in P12 with his FP1 time. The Italian suffered a sizeable crash in FP2. Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) was 13th, with Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) completing the fastest 14 and the provisional graduates to Q2. Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) was the first to lose out and the Australian will be keen to see the rain hold off in that all-important FP3 session on Saturday morning.

Steven Odendaal (NTS RW Racing GP) crashed twice in FP2, and in other news, Dimas Ekky Pratama (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) will sit out the rest of the weekend as he continues to recover from his crash at Assen.

Khairul Idham Pawi will also miss the remainder of the weekend. The Malaysian made his return to the intermediate class on Friday in Brno after several months on the sidelines, but will ultimately not ride in the Czech GP. Jonas Folger will step into the Petronas Sprinta Racing squad as his replacement once again.

Will the skies stay dry for the third session of the weekend? FP3 goes green at 10:55 local time (GMT+2) before qualifying from 15:05.

Friday’s fastest:1 – Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA – Speed Up) 2’01.695

2 – Nicolo Bulega (ITA- Kalex) +0.035

3 – Tetsuta Nagashima (JPN – Kalex) +0.063

4 – Marcel Schrötter (GER – Kalex) +0.190

5 – Augusto Fernandez (SPA – Kalex) +0.191

Rodrigo tops the timesheets before a crash rules him outArgentine rider suffers fractures in a late FP2 highside, Arbolino and Suzuki complete the top threeGabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) went fastest on Friday in the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky, with the Argentine rider two tenths clear by the end of a cloudy first day of action at the classic track. That was, however, before a crash in the last few seconds of FP2 as he highsided out, breaking his collarbone and pelvis and ruling himself out of the remainder of the weekend. Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completed the top three, with 16 riders ending the day within a second on the combined timesheets.

Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) topped FP1 ahead of Rodrigo, but it was game on on Friday afternoon to get into the provisional Q2 graduation zone as bad weather seems to be on the horizon for Saturday and FP3. In the end though some of the fastest in FP1 remained threats on the combined timesheets, with Masia retaining fifth overall, slotting in behind a top three chased by Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46). The ever-impressive Italian rookie gained over twenty places from his FP1 slot.

Championship contenders Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) and Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) were next up, with the two rivals taking P6 and P7 respectively…split by just 0.030 as they prepare for another crucial battle on Sunday. Dalla Porta was also involved in an incident with Vietti at Turn 3 in FP2, both riders ok.

Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), currently third in the Championship, was eighth quickest on Friday, with the Italian ending the day just under a tenth and a half off Canet. He headed up an incredibly close squabble, with compatriot Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers) 0.003 back, Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) another 0.008 off and John McPhee (Petronas Yamaha SRT) within only 0.014 of Spaniard Ramirez ahead of him. The Scot’s best lap was from FP1.

That was also true of the man just behind him, rookie Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia), and the man behind him, Andrea Migno (Bester Capital Dubai), in P13. Home hero Filip Salač (Redox PrüstelGP) took P14 and is the last man currently in the provisional graduation zone for Q2, with Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) the first to lose out.

Crashers on Day 1 included Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Kazuki Masaki (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race), Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power), Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team), Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0).

Will the weather hold out on Saturday for FP3? Find out at 9:00 local time (GMT +2), before qualifying from 12:35.

Friday’s fastest:1 – Gabriel Rodrigo (ARG – Honda) 2’08.125

2 – Tony Arbolino (ITA – Honda) +0.200

3 – Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN – Honda) +0.308

4 – Celestino Vietti (ITA – KTM) +0.394

5 – Jaume Masia (SPA – KTM) +0.490

Ratchanok Intanon and her special supporter Napis Tortungpanich (national shooter)

The Thai world No 20 bounced back from a disastrous second game to beat Hong Kong’s Cheung Ngan Yi 21-15 15-21 21-12 to reach her second semi-final this year after the Thailand Masters at the same venue in January. This will also be her first semi-final appearance in the BWF World Tour Super 500.

“I’m super happy to reach my first semi-final at the 500 level. But the fact that I could fought back to win the third game and the match makes me feel even greater,” added the 21-year-old from Rayong province, who is still looking for her first career title.

After taking the opening game, Pornpawee gave in to a bout of nerves, letting a series of unforced errors cost her the second. She, however, cut down her mistakes in the decider while her rival’s concentration started to flag in the later stages.

“I’m glad that I pulled myself together in the third game. The draught [from the air-conditioner] made it tough. I just stuck to my game plan until the end,” added Pornpawee, who lines up an all-Thai affair with former champion Ratchanok, a 21-17 21-15 winner over Chen Xia Xin of China.

“She was my idol growing up. To play her in a semi-final at home is a dream come true. Win or lose, a Thai will reach the final,” said the former Asian Junior Championship silver medallist.

Ratchanok who won this tournament twice, in 2013 and 2017, said: “I don’t worry much about the match on Saturday as at least one Thai player will make it to the final. We will try to keep the title at home.”

Koravee Prisnanantakul, secretary general of the FAT and vice chairman of the Thai League organising committee, said: “We don’t expect any violence but we will be careful. The FAT has instructed all clubs to cooperate in raising the security level outside all stadium entrances.”

Separately, Koravee said referees are being trained with VAR (video assistant referee) technology, which will be shortly introduced to the Thai League.

“We are currently training the referees but there are still many FIFA procedures we have to go through,” he added. “Nevertheless, we will try our best to have VAR running during the end of the 2019 season in October.”

Fans can buy the tickets online from August 5-18 atwww.thaiticketmajor.com or at some locations. They are priced at Bt500 (W zone), Bt350 (E zone) and Bt200 (N and S zones). Tickets for visiting team supporters are Bt650.

The 30-year-old from Johannesburg seemingly made easy work of Woburn Golf Club’s Marquess Course, needing just 26 putts to make her way around the course.

“I struck the ball great today. I feel I’ve been playing pretty steadily the last two, three weeks, and it was just a case of trying to hold it together, and I did that today,” said Buhai, whose best LPGA finish is a solo second at the 2017 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. “I holed a lot of good putts, as well. Everything was just coming into place.”

American Danielle Kang, who took her only major title at the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, sits second at 6-under 66. She closed with birdies at her final three holes to tie JLPGA rookie Hinako Shibuno, who is playing in her major competition outside her home tour.

“Easy golf is the best golf, right? No stress. You get a number, you see the shot, you go and hit it,” said Kang. “Same thing with putting. I know I left a few short out there, but I kept trusting my speed, I see the line, and you just go up and trust your execution.”

Moriya Jutanugarn

English star and Woburn member Charley Hull opened with a 5-under 67 and is tied for fourth with American Megan Khang, Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn and the Republic of Korea’s Sung Hyun Park. Hull’s countrywoman and 2018 AIG Women’s British Open winner Georgia Hall shot 69, tied for 11th in the first round of her title defense. It is the best opening round for a defending Women’s British Open champion since Lorena Ochoa shot 69 in 2008, defending her 2007 victory.

Former world No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, without a bogey, sat three shots back.

STEADY PLAY PAYS OFF FOR A “CHUFFED” ASHLEIGH BUHAI

For the first time since she turned professional in 2007, Ashleigh Buhai will sleep on the lead at a major championship. The 30-year-old from Johannesburg, South Africa, fired a 7-under 65 in Thursday’s first round of the AIG Women’s British Open, tied for the best round of her LPGA career. Despite an unplayable lie on No. 11 that led to her only bogey of the day, Buhai was all smiles as she walked off the golf course after carding eight birdies to that lone bogey. She even used some proper British slang, fittingly saying she was “chuffed” with the way she played.

“Today was perfect golfing conditions, everything you wanted, soft greens, hardly in the wind and you could throw it at the pin,” said Buhai. “Although you’re hitting longer clubs in, the greens are receptive, so it was at least easier to get it closer.”

Buhai spent the week of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship working closely with her coach, especially on her short game. She said she has been seeing progress over the last few weeks, and it satisfyingly all came together on Thursday at Woburn Golf Club.

“I felt I’ve been swinging it well, I’m hitting the target and into the zones that my coach and I talk about, and holing some really good putts,” she said. “I’m feeling really confident with the putter and it’s been good the last few weeks. Today I managed to just hit a few more greens and rolled in the putts.”

Buhai’s best major finish came at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, where she tied for 27th. She is aiming to become the second South African major winner, joining Sally Little, who won the 1980 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 1988 du Maurier Classic.

ENGLISH STARS THRIVING ON DAY ONE

The English fans thronging to Woburn Golf Club had plenty to cheer for, with Charley Hull (T4), defending champion Georgia Hall (T11) and Bronte Law (T21) leading the charge with three bogey-free rounds. Hull, who has been a member at Woburn since age 11, opened with a 5-under 67 on Thursday. She may actually feel more pressure than Hall to perform well this week, given her familiarity with the course.

“Sometimes it’s harder when it’s your home golf course because you know where not to hit it as well as where to hit it,” said Hull. “Like today, for instance, the 13th hole, it’s the first time I’ve hit that fairway for about three years, so I was quite happy about it.”

Hall proved that she is more than up to the challenge of becoming the first back-to-back AIG Women’s British Open winner since Yani Tseng in 2010 and 2011. Hall’s 3-under 69 was a round buoyed by all the support she felt from her compatriots outside the ropes.

“I think it’s important for me to take all the emotions in and really enjoy it,” said Hall, who like last year has her dad Wayne on the bag this week. “I loved it out there today. I had a lot of fun, and I just said to myself, just go out there and enjoy it, and I did, and I just loved having so much support.”

In April, Law joined the ranks of LPGA champions when she captured the Pure Silk Championship in Virginia. On Thursday and Friday, she is playing alongside European Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew, and her 2-under 70 helped lock her in as a favorite to receive a coveted captain’s pick when the team is selected following next week’s tournament.

“I just tried to go out there and play my game, and ultimately it’s a major, so the goal is to like win the major as opposed to really worry about what she’s thinking or anything like that,” said Law. “Yeah, just focused on my game, and just pleased with how solid I played.”

NO. 1 KO LOOKING FOR THIRD MAJOR TITLE OF 2019

Only six players have won three professional major championships in a single season – Pat Bradley, Ben Hogan, Inbee Park, Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright and Babe Zaharias. With a win at the AIG Women’s British Open, Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko can join that elite list, having won the 2019 ANA Inspiration and Evian Championship.

Ko’s first-round 68, an up-and-down affair that featured seven birdies, one bogey and an uncharacteristic four-putt double-bogey at No. 14, puts her in a tie for eighth after 18 holes.

“I tried to focus on my game. I did it on the front nine, but the back nine was a lot of putts missed,” said Ko. “I tried to finish strong, No. 16, 17, 18, and I got a birdie on 18. It was a huge birdie. Looking forward to the next three days.”

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 123 Ashleigh Buhai (65)

• Buhai’s first-round 65 is her best round at the AIG Women’s British Open; her previous best was a 67 in the third round in 2017 at Kingsbarns
• Her 65 is tied for the best round of her LPGA Tour career, joining the 65s she shot in the first round of the 2019 Meijer LPGA Classic and the third round of the 2017 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic
• Buhai has held LPGA Tour Membership since 2008; her best finish is second at the 2017 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic
• This is Buhai’s 18th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is a tie for 11th at the Pure Silk Championship presented by Visit Williamsburg
• She is competing in her 12th AIG Women’s British Open; her best finish is a tie for 30th in 2017 at Kingsbarns, while she tied for 47th at the 2016 championship held at Woburn
• She spent 2010 to 2013 on the Ladies European Tour, where she has three career victories
• Buhai represented South Africa at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she finished 50th

Rolex Rankings No. 14 Danielle Kang (66)

• Kang’s first-round 66 is her best round at the AIG Women’s British Open; her previous best was a 68 in the first round in 2013 at the Old Course at St. Andrews
• Kang is in her eighth season on the LPGA Tour; she has wins at the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2018 Buick LPGA Shanghai
• This is Kang’s 16th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is a tie for second at the Kia Classic
• She is competing in her ninth AIG Women’s British Open; her best finish is a tie for 42nd in 2013 and has missed the last three consecutive cuts, including at the 2016 championship held at Woburn
• Kang has already locked in a spot on the 2019 U.S. Solheim Cup Team

Rolex Rankings No. 46 Hinako Shibuno (66)

• Shibuno is playing in her first AIG Women’s British Open and first-ever LPGA Tour event
• She is a 20-year-old rookie on the JLPGA; she has two victories on that tour in 2019, including a major win at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup
• Shibuno is trying to become the second Japanese player to win a women’s major championship, joining Chako Higuchi, who won the 1977 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

ROLEX WOMEN’S WORLD GOLF RANKINGS PROJECTIONS

Three players have a mathematical chance to overtake Rolex Rankings World No. 1 Jin Young Ko based on their finish at the AIG Women’s British Open. Only World No. 2Sung Hyun Park is projected to move to pass Ko outright with a win.

No. 2 Sung Hyun Park (T4 after first round)

• Win
• Solo second and have Jin Young Ko finish solo third or worse
• Solo third and have Jin Young Ko finish solo fifth or worse
• Solo fourth, have Jin Young Ko finish solo seventh or worse and Lexi Thompson or Inbee Park do not win
• Other scenarios as low as a solo-11th finish with associated finishes by Jin Young Ko, Lexi Thompson and Inbee Park

No. 3 Lexi Thompson (T32 after first round)

• Win, have Jin Young Ko finish solo sixth or worse and Sung Hyun Park finish solo fourth or worse

No. 5 Inbee Park (T97 after first round)

• Win, have Jin Young Ko finish solo seventh or worse and Sung Hyun Park finish solo fourth or worse

There may be additional possibilities with tie scenarios and separate projection scenarios would be run to check.

In the race for the top-ranked American, two players have a mathematical change to overtake Rolex Rankings World No. 3 Lexi Thompson.

No. 10 Nelly Korda (T21 after first round)

• Win and have Lexi Thompson finish solo third or worse
• Solo second, have Lexi Thompson finish solo 31st or worse and Jessica Korda does not win

No. 16 Jessica Korda (T46 after first round)

• Win and have Lexi Thompson finish solo seventh or worse

RAMA WINNER TO BE DECIDED SUNDAY AT AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

The final LPGA major of the year – the AIG Women’s British Open – will decide the winner of the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award and it’s a three-woman race involving Jin Young Ko, Jeongeun Lee6 and Hannah Green. Ko, the winner of last week’s Evian Championship, is in the driver’s seat and is guaranteed the award with a top-six finish.

With last week’s win Ko, who also won the ANA Inspiration, now has 120 points while Lee6 has 70 and Green 60. If Lee6, who won the U.S. Women’s Open, takes the Women’s British Open and Ko finishes sixth they tie atop the standings with Ko winning the award on the tie break.

If Green, winner of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, triumphs at Woburn Golf Club and Ko finishes outside the top 10 at AIG, they tie atop the standings with Ko winning the award on the tie break.

If there is a tie, the award goes to the player with the most majors but in this case both would have two. The next tiebreaker is the most second-place major finishes. If that is the same number, they go to third-place finishes and so on until the tie is broken.­­­

After the first round of the AIG Women’s British Open, Ko and Lee6 are tied for eighth, while Green is tied for 62nd.

Marquez gears up for the second halfCan Viñales take a third podium in a row?Crutchlow won his first Grand Prix at Brno…The ‘Doctor’ made his debut at Brno ’96. 23 years on, he’ll be aiming for a sixth premier class win hereHome hero Abraham is pushing for pointsBinder joins the big boys in 2020

The world No 16, who had made early exits in five straight tournaments ahead of this week’s event at home, made it to his second quarter-finals of the season since the India Open in March.

“My confidence was gone in the past few months,” said Chiang Mai native Khosit. “Everybody in the team knew I was really down after losing match after match. So this week I put the past behind and played with no expectations. Things turned out pretty well for me,” added Khosit, who is coached by Indonesian Agus Dwi Santosa.

The Thai No 2, whose best result on the BWF was a runner-up in the Japan Open last year, however has not set any goals for himself in this home BWF World Tour Super 500 event other than have some fun.

“I’m the kind of person who comes under pressure when I hope for something too much. So my plan is to go out there and enjoy hitting shots. Being in the quarter-finals after losing in the first round many times is already beyond my expectation,” he added.

Khosit remains the only Thai left in the men’s singles as Thai No 3 Sitthikom Thammasin squandered a strong start and lost to defending champion Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan 18-21 21-11 21-12.

Ratchanok Intanon

On the women’s side, Ratchanok Intanon prevailed over Nitchaon Jindapol 17-21 21-11 21-11 in the all Thai second round affair. Also moving into the quarter-finals is Pornpawee Chochuwong who upset South Korean Sung Ji Hyun 21-15 21-19.

In mixed doubles, fourth-seeded Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Terattanachai ousted Chinese Lu Kai and Chen Lu 21-17 21-15.

In the women’s doubles, Jongkolphan Kittitharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai went down to Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan of South Korea 21-15 21-18.

Sekito, who had held the lead since the opening round, never let anyone come close to him as he marked the day’s lowest round with a six-under-par 64 and extended his dominance atop the leaderboard to a 17-under-par 193 total at the Gunung Geulis Golf and Country Club.

Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin recorded a second straight 66 to take second place while Gregory Foo of Singapore posted a solid 65 to move to third place on 205. Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai settled a further shot back in fourth following a second straight 68.

The 21-year-old Sekito started his round in style by draining a 30-footer for birdie on the par-four first hole. He would make another birdie on seven and drop a shot on nine before setting the back nine on fire with five straight birdies from the 10th hole.

“I got off to a good start today and that boosted my confidence heading into the round. I actually hit a bad second shot so I was really happy to make that long birdie putt on that hole,” said Sekito, the current Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader.

“I don’t want to think about winning just yet. My target is to finish 20-under-par. It’s been a great season for me so far. I will continue to do the same for tomorrow and we will see how it goes,” added Sekito, who had set a new course record with his opening 62 before carding a 67 to seize a four-shot lead heading into the third round.

Sekito took advantage of his impeccable short game which sparked his hot run with a tap-in birdie on 10th and an eight-footer downhill birdie putt on 11th before chipping it close to set up another birdie on the 12th hole.

Sekito, who is chasing for his second ADT title, found the green in two shots on the par-five 13th hole before making two putts for birdie. He would go on to roll a 10-footer in for his fifth consecutive birdie on the par-four 14th hole.

After turning professional at the start of 2018, Sekito attempted to secure his Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School but an unsuccessful bid saw him switch his focus to the ADT, where he missed only three cuts in 13 starts and notched a top-five result.

Sekito endured another futile attempt at the 2019 Qualifying School but an invite to the PGM UMW ADT Championship in March turned his career around as he capped a commendable joint runner-up finish in what was his first start on the ADT this season.

He would extend his fine form to the PGM ADT Penang Championship in April where he claimed a one-shot victory for his first ADT title and the Butra Heidelberg Cement Brunei Championships the following week, where he finished solo second.

Sekito continued to taste success on the region’s secondary circuit as he notched another tied-second place finish in Malaysia last month to take over the Order of Merit lead from Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat.

The Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational supported by Nomura is the Tour’s second stop in Indonesia this season and the Gunung Geulis Golf and Country Club is hosting an ADT event for the third time since it first opened in 1992.

Leading round three scores:

193 – Naoki Sekito 62 67 64

201 – Kwanchai Tannin 69 66 66

205 – Gregory Foo 71 69 65

206 – Atiruj Winaicharoenchai 70 68 68

207 – Chinnarat Phadungsil 71 69 67, Chonlatit Chuenboonngam 69 69 69, Miguel Carballo 66 72 69, Shinichi Mizuno 65 71 71, Pannakorn Uthaipas 68 67 72, Poom Pattaropong 65 70 72, Shae Wools-Cobb 67 66 74

208 – Hyukchul Shin 68 73 67, Rory Hie 69 70 69, Peradol Panyathanasedh 69 68 71, Daniel Fox 71 65 72

Meanwhile, the test event will be staged from October 29-31 this year, while the qualifying round will be held from January to April 2020, according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Khunying Patama Leesawastrakul.

On the opening day, three men’s divisions will be fought – welterweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight – as well as the women’s featherweight, she said.

The IOC had earlier banned the International Boxing Association, the sport’s governing body, from the Tokyo Games, and set up its own organising committee to stage the event.

Khunying Patama also said that this autumn, Japan will start the third-phase sales of Games tickets via the lottery system, instead of offering them on a “first come, first served” basis as previously planned.

The second-phase sales take place on August 18-19, and are open only to those who registered in the first phase. Almost 700,000 additional tickets are available in this stage, comprising mostly of qualifying and first round events.