Chawrasia, Rashid tied-third, two behind leader in Koh

India's S S P Chawrasia virtually threw away a shot but still managed a share of the third place with five others at the midway stage of the Queen's Cup on Friday. Chawrasia, who signed for a bogey-free 68, actually birdied the par-4 ninth hole, but signed for a four. Yet he was seven-under 135 and shared third place with fellow Indian, Rashid Khan, home hero Prayad Marksaeng and Filipino Angelo Que, all of whom shot 70 each, Juvic Pagunsan (69) and Thai Pasavee Lertivilai (66).

Thailand's veteran star Thaworn Wiratchant hit a glorious back nine 28 en route to an eight-under-par 63 to snatch the halfway lead. The 50-year-old Thaworn, was one shot ahead of Nicholas Fung of Malaysia who shot 68-68.

The straight-hitting Chawrasia, winner of the second Hero Indian Open in March this year, was in great nick as he produced an eagle and one birdie at Santiburi Samui Country Club.

A top-two finish in the US$500,000 tournament here can push Chawrasia, a six-time Asian Tour winner, into top spot on the Merit list, which he has said is one of his goals for the year.

Chawrasia said, "I'm playing good, it's good going. I'm happy. The last two weeks, I've played well in England and Sweden except for the last round. I'm here and I'm in joint lead. So I'm looking forward to the next two days. If I win it, I can be number one on the Order of Merit. If I can finish as number one, it'll be my biggest achievement."

Meanwhile, Rashid Khan, who gone back to his 'baseball' grip, landed an eagle on 12 with a hole-out from 138 yards with a nine iron. It kept him in the hunt for a third Asian Tour victory despite a cold putter, which he meant he 30 putts.