Teenager Hisatsune steals stars’ thunder

Hua Hin: Japanese teenager Ryo Hisatsune upstaged many of the big-name players in the International Series Thailand to take the halfway lead at Black Mountain Golf Club yesterday.

The 19-year-old, who turned professional at the end of 2020, shot a six-under-par 66 for a total of 14-under 130.

He led by one from South Koreans Kwon Sung-Yeol and Mun Do-Yeob, who carded 66s.

A shot further back was reigning Asian Tour No.1 Kim Joo-Hyung (68) and Lee Tae-Hee (64), both of South Korea, South African Jaco Ahlers (63), Thais Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (66) and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (65), and American Todd Baek (66).

“My course management today was very good. I am very happy,” said Hisatsune, who has his girlfriend Rirua Furukawa on the bag.

“It was so hot today, I am not used to this.”

He fired seven birdies and dropped just one shot.

A rising star of the Japan Golf Tour…