Unheralded Seungsu Han of the United States upstaged the tournament marquee names by carding a second round four-under-par 67 to grab the second round clubhouse lead at the SMBC Singapore Open on Friday.
Han, who is chasing his first professional win at the US$1 million Singapore showpiece, surprised even himself when he compiled a two-day total of nine-under-par 133 to give himself a two-shot advantage over Australia’s Adam Scott and Malaysia’s Gavin Green, who was at seven-under through 15 holes before play was suspended due to fading light at 7.21pm.
Scott continues to remain in contention for a record fourth Singapore Open title after he signed for a 67. The Australian, who had the huge galleries following him at the Sentosa Golf Club, returned early at 7.30am to complete his remaining three holes from his first round before heading back out to mix his card with five birdies and one bogey for a 135 total.
Scott’s title ambitions will be put to test by a fast-charging Angelo Que of the Philippines, who stormed up the leaderboard with a 69 to share fourth place with Singapore’s Quincy Quek as the iconic Singapore showpiece heads into the weekend rounds.
Quek can expect the local crowd to cheer him on as he continues his amazing run on home soil, firing three birdies in his closing four holes to sign for a 68.
Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who has made great strides in his career since he first teed up in the Lion City, returned with a 71 to stay in touch with the leaders in tied-sixth place that also features India’s Gagnjeet Bhullar and defending champion Younghan Song of Korea.
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung finally made the cut in his fifth attempt at the US$1 million event that is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
