Hong Kong's challenge in the Putra Cup faded yesterday as high-scoring rounds from the SAR's golfers saw them slip to sixth from third going into today's third round. None of Hong Kong's amateurs looked like making the Santa Elena Golf Club's par 72, with only Doug Williams getting anywhere near at three-over-par 75. 'It wasn't a good day at all,' skipper Alex Pettigrew told Sports Post from the Philippines last night. 'We just couldn't get anything going. But we are still in with a chance this weekend because there is not a lot separating the teams placed from three to six.' This weekend's action looks like being a straight fight for second place as favourites Thailand surged into a nine-shot lead. Thongchai Jaidee held par to lead the team to the day's best score of 217, and a two-day total of 431. Rangsan Ruengtham added a 72 and Songphan Puakprakong tallied 73. The first two Thais were the only players in the eight-nation team tournament to save par. Malaysia, who were eight strokes adrift after the first round of play, slid to fourth place from second. They are now 26 strokes off the pace after a disastrous 225 for the day. Indonesia are third, one stroke behind the hosts.