Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin birdied the last hole to seize the second-round clubhouse lead with Australia’s Adam Blyth at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday, where play was suspended because of darkness.
Chan, winner of the King’s Cup in Thailand last season, mixed his scorecard with seven birdies against one bogey and one double-bogey to finish on four-under 68, tying with Blyth on a two-day total of one-under 143 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Overnight leader Peter Karmis of South Africa is two-under through 15 holes and will resume the second round alongside 27 players at 7am this morning.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
The second round of the US$500,000 Asian Tour event was delayed for 2 hours, 5 minutes in the morning because of unplayable conditions.
Malaysia’s Iain Steel struggled on the greens to finish with a 73 alongside Siddiqur Rahman, who was the first Bangladeshi to win on the Asian Tour at the Brunei Open in August, on a 144 total.
The fate of veteran Taiwanese golfer Hsieh Min-nan, who is aiming to be the oldest golfer on the Asian Tour to make the cut at the age of 70, hangs in the balance as he finished on 75 on a 151 total.
Chan was a figure of consistency and credited a hot putter in making 26 putts yesterday. He made three consecutive birdies from the fourth hole and added another three straight birdies from the 12th. However, the ever-smiling 33-year-old was disappointed not to take the outright clubhouse lead after a double-bogey on the 10th hole when his green-side bunker shot flew over the green.
“Overall, I’m very happy with my round. The greens were softer after the rain and that made it easier to place my ball. I was more confident today of going for the pin,” Chan said.
Australian Blyth, who fired three birdies against one bogey for a 70, believes patience will be the key.
“This is one of those courses where you have to stick in there and remain patient. You need to keep a level head and calm because the course can get you angry. You will get some bad bounces and breaks, but you have to deal with it patiently,” said Blyth, who is searching for his maiden Asian Tour victory.
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