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 15 Nov 2008 From Asian Tour (www.asiantour.com) Sentosa, November 14: Ernie Els bolted into the joint clubhouse lead at the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open which was hit by another lightning storm on Friday.
After a short break, Els, a three-time Major champion, negotiated a second round 70 at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course where his six-under-par 136 total was matched later by Simon Dyson of England, who fired a bogey-free 67. Asia’s challenge was carried by big-hitting Chapchai Nirat of Thailand who struck a 68 for tied third place on 138 to lie alongside Irish teenager Rory McIlroy, who shot a matching 68 in the Asian Tour’s richest national Open. Bad weather rolled into Sentosa at 2.38pm which forced a three-hour suspension. A total of 78 players, including drawcards Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott, will return at 7.30am, Saturday to complete their second rounds. The third round is scheduled to begin at 12.30pm after the halfway cut is made. Els was glad to be safely in the clubhouse with the joint lead. “We were very lucky to be on the good side of the draw for a change,” he said. The big South African produced two birdies in his remaining four holes of the first round, which was also interrupted by weather on Thursday afternoon, and then shot three more birdies against two bogeys in his second round. “I had a nice finish this morning. I played pretty decent later but just couldn’t get the scoring going. I couldn’t quite make the side putts and it was kind of difficult getting close to some of these holes. I’ve got a long way to go,” said Els. “Overall, I’m pretty satisfied. I hit the ball pretty nice and I wished I made more putts but I feel quite comfortable and I’m looking forward to the weekend now.” Nicknamed the Big Easy for his smooth golf swing, Els has endured a relatively disappointing season with only one victory on the US PGA Tour, and slipping out of the world’s top-10. But a month-long break recharged his batteries and he was now determined to lift the Barclays Singapore Open title. “It would be great to win here,” said Els, who was runner-up to Scott in 2006 but missed the cut last year. “My year has been awkward and I’m still trying to get my game back. I won last week (King Hassan II Trophy in Morocco) and I got a bit of confidence from that and brought it here,” said Els. Dyson holds Asia close to his heart as he won three tournaments and the prestigious Order of Merit title during his rookie professional season in 2000. He produced a bogey-free card in his second round to join Els atop the leaderboard. “I’m playing some of the best golf I’ve ever played. If I was playing any other course, it would be 10 to 12 under but it’s so tough here, really tough. You can hit some good shots and then leave yourself on the wrong side of putting,” said Dyson. Chapchai has failed to reproduce last season’s terrific form where he won twice and finished second on the Order of Merit. But a return to the Barclays Singapore Open has reignited his game. The beefy Thai, nicknamed “King Kong” by his friends because of his long-driving abilities, came to prominence at Sentosa in 2005 when he finished tied 11th and showed his liking for the course with four birdies against a lone bogey in his second round, to trail the leaders by two shots. “I hit my driver and three wood really well. The greens are tough to putt on but the birdies that I hit were all from close range. I’m feeling good about myself. I’ve always enjoyed playing in Singapore. I find that I’m always aiming for the pins and it’s rewarded me. I’m comfortable being here, so I hope to keep playing well,” said the Thai.
Mickelson played seven holes in even par to lie at two-over for the tournament while Harrington, a double Major winner this year, was also even par through six holes, and one-over for the event. Scott, who won the Barclays Singapore Open in 2005 and 2006, traded one birdie against a bogey through six holes to remain at five-over par.
Note: 78 players to resume round two on Saturday, 7.30am. For more information on the Barclays Singapore Open, visit www.barclayssingaporeopen.com or www.asiantour.com |
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The South African star (left) returned in the morning to complete his first round in five-under-par 66 which saw him overhaul overnight leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore.
Lam (left picture), hoping to become the first local winner at the Barclays Singapore Open, was even par through five holes of his second round with one birdie against one bogey to remain at four-under for the event when play was halted at 7pm due to fading light.
