Brazil’s Adilson da Silva credited his local caddy after battling through strong winds to fire a six-under 66 for the halfway lead at the Asian Tour’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday.
The 42-year-old, still looking for his first win on the Asian Tour, recorded five birdies and an eagle as he soared one ahead after overnight leader Lionel Weber of France, who could only manage an 80 on the Tamsui course at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
The Brazilian had opened with a 75 on Thursday, but is now one of the only three players under par after signing off on a 141 three-under total.
Photo: Chao Hsin-tien, Taipei Times
England’s Steve Lewton ground out a 72 to sit one back of Da Silva, with Asian Tour rookie Paul Peterson of the US at one-under after a 71.
“My putting was so good. The greens were running better this morning. The wind was getting in and out on the course, and it was hard to gauge the direction sometimes,” Da Silva said. “I was really staying positive on the front nine and it kind of got my game going. My caddie helped me quite a bit with the lines.”
Weber is four-over and just made the cut, which came at five-over, after following up his opening 68 with a birdie-free 80.
Englishman Lewton said par was a good score on the tough course and he was looking forward to going out in the final group today as he chases his first win on the Asian Tour.
“I made a few mistakes on the last few holes, but I thought I played pretty steady in the wind,” said the 31-year-old, who mixed two birdies with two bogeys.
The highest-placed Taiwanese players after the second round were Chan Yih-shin (71), Hsieh Chi-hsien (72) and Lu Wen-teh (72), who were tied for 17th place on two-over 146.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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