Players from five countries are leading 13 separate divisions after two days play in the Centara World Masters Golf Championship being played at four courses in Hua Hin Thailand.

The amateur tournament, the largest of its kind ever held in Asia, has attracted more than 450 participants from 23 countries.

Rounds played at Imperial Lake View, Majestic Creek, Banyan and Black Mountain golf clubs have produced tightly bunched leader boards in men’s and ladies divisions at the half-way stage of the tournament.

South Africa’s Desiree Geldenhuys is the ladies 35-55 gross leader with 156 followed by Singapore’s Mee Nah Fong and Denise Seow, who is the stableford leader. In B grade, Philippines player Anli Wu is the leader.

South Africa’s Henk Guldenhuys is the men’s 35-55 gross leader on 148, eight shots clear of Bangladesh player, Arshi Haider, Theo Wessels (South Africa) and Buddy Bagi (Australia). The stableford leader is another South African, Craig Shillaw.

Singaporean Johnny Ang leads B grade and Ireland’s Gerry Raftery is the C grade leader.

The men’s 56-65 division is led by Australia’s Bill Maystorovich, with fellow Aussies Richard Heaney abd Peter McCowan the B and C grade leaders.

Peter Cherry of ustralia is the men’s 66-plus gross leader by 20 shots. He also leads the stableford division, while Ireland’s Michael Barry and Australia’s Gordon Thomas share the B grade lead.

Two heavy downpours of rain cleared the courses yesterday, but afternoon players were able to resume and complete their rounds after breaks of 30 to 45 minutes.

Conditions have been perfect for golf, with overcast skies and a breeze keeping temperatures in the low 30s.