Murakami joins Lascuña at fifth

MANILA, Philippines - Artemio Murakami leaned on a solid frontside stint to fire a bogey-free, five-under par 67 as he joined compatriot Tony Lascuña in fifth place, four shots behind Thai Thaworn Wiratchant halfway through the Indonesia President Invitational at the Damai Indah Golf, BSD course in Indonesia yesterday.

Murakami rammed in four birdies after nine holes then coasted along with a slew of pars before holing out with another birdie to complete a 32-35 card for a 36-hole aggregate of 136.

He jumped from a share of 13th to joint fifth with four others, including Lascuña, who missed closing in on the leader with a faltering windup.

Starting at the backside, Lascuña matched Murakami’s start with a 32 then strung up three straight birdies from No. 2 to go 11-under for the clubhouse lead.

But he bogeyed No. 5 and dropped two strokes on the ninth, settling for a 36 and a second straight 68.