Golf: Early birdie Fraser flying

FIRST-ROUND leader Marcus Fraser joined second-round clubhouse leaders Thongchai Jaidee and Tano Goya in pole position at the weather-affected Ballantine's Championship at Pinx Golf Club in South Korea.

A first-hole birdie was enough for Australia's Fraser to join the duo at eight-under-par midway through his second round, with South Korea's Ted Oh moving alongside Brett Rumford a shot off the pace.

Due to nearly seven hours of delays on Thursday, defending champion Thongchai, Argentina's Goya and Australian Rumford played virtually two rounds in gusting wind yesterday.

Asian number one Thongchai, 40, carded a superb second-round 67, while last year's Madeira Islands Open winner Goya, 21, and Rumford battled to equally impressive hard-fought rounds of 70.