Singapore, March 9: Indian stalwart Jyoti Randhawa is in prime position when he grabbed the second round lead after a strong four-under-par 68 in the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters on Friday.
Randhawa romped home seven birdies against three dropped shots on a windy day at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club.
After an 11-under-par 133 total, the 34-year-old Randhawa held on to a one stroke lead over chasing Scotsman Barry Hume who shot a 69 in the US$1.1 million event. Malaysia's Iain Steel, who is aiming for his first ever title on the Asian Tour, enjoyed a consistent day on course when he fired a lowly 65 in tied third position two strokes off the pace. Also in tied third place was England's Gary Lockerbie who improved with a 67. Peter Lawrie from Ireland shot a 70 in tied fifth place alongside overnight leader from China Liang Wen-chong who was even-par for the day after a 136 total.
"There are some really good players out there playing so as long as I go and do my best, I will just try and stay in the present and do my job. Actually I am not playing that great at the moment but I am managing myself well and let's hope my game gets together in the last two days and we'll see what happens then," said Randhawa, who won the 2000 Singapore Open.
Eager to get home in time for the birth of his first child, Randhawa was cool on the Masters Course firing birdies on the first, third, seventh and eighth holes before a dropped shot on the ninth. Three more birdies against two bogeys on the final nine holes placed him ahead of a starry field heading into the weekend.
"It really got windy today and it was a tough scoring day. But I am happy the way I played, you miss some, you get some and as long as you do that, I am pretty happy with the way it went.
"David Howell playing with me had a tough time putting today especially if you are coming from bent grass greens, these are grainy greens. I putted all right, I am pretty happy with the way I putted but all in all they have done a good job and the greens are playing all right," he added.
The humble Hume was happy to be among the frontrunners in lone second position after five birdies and despite a double bogey on the 17th hole, the 25-year-old Scotsman is optimistic of his chances at the top.
"Although it is always disappointing to double bogey the 17th, my golf overall has been good so I am not too worried about that. There are a lot of players here who are going to miss out so I am happy that I made the cut, but I have probably done better so far than I thought I would," said Hume, who retained his card this season when South African Anton Haig pulled out of the Volvo Masters of Asia, the season-ending event on the Asian Tour last year.
"It is one of those breaks that people get in their career and I hope that is the one that changes my career and sends it the way I want it to go," said Hume.
Malaysian Steel was rock steady with seven birdies against a lone bogey as he ended on a high note with final birdie on the 18th hole.
"I got into a good rhythm and hit a lot of short irons into the holes so I'm quite happy," said the 35-year-old Steel.
"The key is to keep out of trouble. Trouble got me a bogey today on the 14th hole but I struck 10 fairways. I was putting well, when I hit it inside five feet, I've not missed one," he added.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee shot his second straight 69 in tied eighth place with a similar feat by Scotland's Andrew Coltart. Also in joint eighth position was India's Gaurav Ghei as he shot a 70 for a 138 total.
Defending champion Mardan Mamat struck a 73 in tied 38th position for a 141 total. Nick Dougherty was on the mark when he was even-par for the day in joint 54th spot but Lee Westwood missed the cut when he carded a 73 in tied 72nd place alongside Ian Woosnam who shot a 70. David Howell and Darren Clarke both fired matching 73s as both players too missed the mark in tied 89th spot.
Leading second round scores
133 - Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 65-68
134 - Barry Hume (SCO) 65-69
135 - Iain Steel (MAS) 70-65, Gary Lockerbie (ENG) 68-67
136 - Peter Lawrie (IRL) 66-70, Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 64-72
137 - Marcus Fraser (AUS) 64-73
138 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 68-70, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 69-69, Andrew Coltart (SCO) 69-69
139 - Simon Khan (ENG) 69-70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (FRA) 69-70, Jean Van De Velde (FRA) 68-71, Scott Barr (AUS) 70-69, Mark Pilkington (WAL) 72-67, Angelo Que (PHI) 66-73, Ross Bain (SCO) 69-70, Matthew Zions (AUS) 68-71, Richard Bland (ENG) 72-67, Mark Bro (NZL) 66-73, Martin Kaymer (GER) 66-73, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 69-70, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 69-70
140 - David Lynn (ENG) 72-68, Simon Dyson (ENG) 71-69, Steve Webster (ENG) 71-69, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 72-68, Hendrik Buhrmann (RSA) 71-69, Peter Senior (AUS) 70-70, David Carter (ENG) 74-66, Ross Fisher (ENG) 74-66, Adam Blyth (AUS) 67-73, Graeme Storm (ENG) 66-74, Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 69-71, Anthony Wall (ENG) 68-72, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 69-71, Phillip Price (WAL) 69-71
