Charles Porter put together a stunning second-round performance to seize control of the Yeangder TPC in Taiwan on Friday. The 26-year-old American fired a seven-under-par 65 to move to 12-under overall and grab a commanding four-shot lead at the halfway stage of the US$1 million Asian Tour event.

Despite a poor night’s rest and no breakfast, Porter wielded a red-hot putter throughout the round. He capped the day with a birdie at the par-5 18th, where he powered a blind 255-yard approach onto the green and two-putted to close at 132 after rounds of 67 and 65.

Towering presence in Taiwan

At six-foot-nine, Porter quite literally towered over the field. His nearest challengers were Germany’s Dominic Foos and Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who both carded 67s to sit four shots back. Foos was left frustrated after bogeying his final two holes, while Higa — fresh off winning the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea last week — stayed in contention despite two bogeys.

Defending champion Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand slipped with a 71 but remained tied fourth at seven-under alongside 17-year-old local amateur Hsieh Cheng-wei, Australia’s Travis Smyth, and the Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena. Three more Thais — Chonlatit Chuenboonngam, Poom Saksansin, and Witchayapat Sinsrang — joined Australia’s Brett Rankin at six-under, while India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu produced the tournament’s lowest round so far, a sizzling 64, to move to tied 12th.

Patience pays off

Porter credited his patient mindset for the round, saying he entered with “super low expectations.” He admitted he felt off but relied on sharp putting to produce his score. “When I was in the rough, I was playing defensively, which you have to do out here, and then when I got on the green, I just made a bunch of putts,” he said.

Porter, who lost his Korn Ferry Tour card last year before qualifying for the Asian Tour, vowed to manage his weekend better than he did at the Mandiri Indonesia Open last month, where he faded after contending early. “I’m definitely going to try to get some rest and take my mind off golf,” he said. With his mother in attendance, he added: “I don’t know what we’re gonna do, but it’s not going to be related to golf.”

Meanwhile, Foos expressed satisfaction despite the late stumbles, while Higa stressed his desire to win this event, backed by his personal sponsor Yeangder. Rising amateur Hsieh, who made seven birdies, delighted home fans by making the cut for the second time in his budding career.