India's Jyoti Randhawa fired seven birdies on his way to a 4-under-par 68 and a one-stroke lead at the halfway mark of the Singapore Masters yesterday.
Randhawa, last year's Indian Open champion, had a two-round total of 11-under 133 despite three bogeys amid windy conditions at the US$1.1 million tournament, co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour.
Scotland's Barry Hume (69) carded five birdies but conceded a double-bogey to sit in second place with a 10-under 134.
Malaysian Iain Steel shot eight birdies and one bogey for a 65 to sit two strokes off the pace with England's Gary Lockerbie (67).
Englishman Nick Dougherty shot an eagle against six bogeys for a 72 and a two-round total of 2-under to just make the cut, which the Asian Tour projected to be 142.
Missing the cut were outgoing Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam of Wales (70) and Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood (73) and David Howell (73) of England, and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke (73). Woosnam and Westwood had two-round totals of 143, while Howell had a 144 and Clarke blew out to 147.
Randhawa led the round by two strokes much of the round, highlighted by a drive out of the rough on the par-5 No. 11 to set up a birdie lob from about 12 feet. But his lead was reduced by a stroke when he veered left of the green on the par-3 17th for bogey.
"I'm not particularly playing all that great, but I'm managing myself, so let's hope that my game gets together in the last two days and we'll see what happens," Randhawa said. "As long as I go there and do my work and just stay in the present."
Hume conceded his double bogey when he found the water, also on the 17th.
"It is always disappointing to double bogey the 17th but my golf overall has been good so I am not too worried about that," Hume said. "The goal was to make the cut."
Overnight leader Liang Wenchong of China (72) and Irishman Peter Lawrie (70) remained in contention at 8-under 136, three strokes off the lead. Liang's joint first round leader, Marcus Fraser of Australia, was a stroke back after shooting a 73.
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