Big-hitting Scott Hend equalled the course record of 8-under 64 to earn
a share of the halfway lead with Sweden’s Pelle Edberg at the True Thailand
Classic presented by Chang on Friday.

The Queenslander, a seven-time Asian Tour winner, rode on an eagle and six
birdies in the second round at a sun-kissed Black Mountain Golf Club for a
12-under-par 132 total which was matched by Edberg, who came home in 67.

Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat charged into contention with a 65 in the
US$1.75 million event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour to lie
one back while Black Mountain resident Simon Yates of Scotland, 2014 Asian Tour
Order of Merit winner David Lipsky of the United States, South African Shaun
Norris, Welshman Rhys Davies and overnight leader Peter Uihlein of the US were
amongst those bunched on 135.

A week after finishing on the bottom of the leaderboard with a
22-over-par total at the WGC-Cadillac Champiionship in Doral, the 42-year-old
Hend put himself in contention again with a sublime performance where he hit
all 18 greens in regulation.

"Yeah, it’s good to get into position once again, we’ll see happens,"
said Hend, who finished tied second here last season.

"I like this course, I like coming to Thailand as it’s a friendly place.
After a lacklustre effort last week, we’ll see what comes now."

"I played atrociously, drove the ball poorly, putted poorly. I was very
disappointed with my performance last week. I just want to do something for
myself (this week)."

With the par 72, 7,492-yard Black Mountain course suited for the
bombers, Hend is determined to take advantage of his length again over the
weekend after swapping drivers.

"I have a few driver worries and I’ve been messing about a little bit. I used a
different putter every day around Doral too as I wasn’t putting very well
either," added Hend.

"This is golf, we all go through it. We put putters in buckets of water
hoping they behave the next day!"