Canadian Renolds retains lead in Philippine Open
Tarlac,
Philippines: Lindsay Renolds stayed on track to win a
first Asian Tour title after shooting a second round four-under-par 68
to maintain his lead at the Philippine Open presented by ICTSI
on Saturday.
The
Phuket-based Canadian leads by one-stroke on 10-under-par 134 and is
trailed closely by Scott Barr of Australia, who charged into contention
with a superb 66 for 135 at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
Home
favourite Miguel Tabuena was also in the title mix following a 69 as he
shared third place with five-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar
(69) of India, Kalle Samooja (67) of Finland and Giwhan Kim
(68) of South Korea on 136 at the Luisita Golf and Country Club.
The
bubbly Renolds, who needs a victory this week to secure playing rights
on the Asian Tour next season, is prepared for a final round shootout in
the weather-shortened Philippine Open.
“It
is exciting to be in this position. My game feels good and I feel good.
I’m not really worried or nervous. We will see what tomorrow brings. It
is just another round of golf for me.
“It
is a game which you win or lose. You can only think of it that way.
Obviously there’s a lot on the line tomorrow but if I play good golf
then things will work out the way it should,” said the 29-year-old,
who is ranked 93rd on the Order of Merit.
Barr, ranked 64th
on the Order of Merit, needs to better his rankings by one to retain
his Asian Tour card which he has safely secured since 2004.
The
Australian rolled in 25 putts highlighted by
a 15-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole to be in the running to claim a
first Asian Tour victory.
“I’m
pleased. Obviously this is a huge week. I got a great putting lesson
from an old Asian Tour member Ahmad Bateman last week. Obviously when
the putter starts rolling, the fairways get wider and everything
gets easier,” said the Australian.
The
21-year-old Tabuena chipped-in for eagle on the last hole but was
disappointed not to take advantage of his birdie opportunities.
“I
had about five lipped out birdie chances and got frustrated. It is easy
to lose your temper here because there are so many birdie holes and if
you miss it, you will lose ground. I have to be as patient
as possible tomorrow. There will be players who will try and force
things but I’ve been in this position before and I know I can come out
on top this time,” said Tabuena.
Indian
star Bhullar birdied the last hole to stay within striking distance of
winning a sixth Asian Tour title.
“I’m in the title mix. I played really
well from holes one to nine. It got a big dodgy on a few
par fours on the back. My two bogeys were a result of a miss-management
with the clubbing. Other than that it is a good solid round,” he said.
The halfway cut was set on even-par 144 with a total of 68 players qualifying for the final round.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72) Yardage 7,042
Par 144 (2x72) Yardage 7,042
134 Lindsay RENOLDS (CAN) 66-68.
135 Scott BARR (AUS) 69-66.
136 Kalle SAMOOJA (FIN) 69-67, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 67-69, Giwhan KIM (SKOR) 68-68, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 67-69.
137 Keith HORNE (RSA) 69-68, Khalin JOSHI (IND) 70-67, Chinnarat
PHADUNGSIL (THA) 67-70, Niall TURNER (IRL) 69-68, Jeunghun WANG (SKOR)
67-70.
138 Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG) 70-68, Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 68-70.
139 Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 68-71, Charlie WI (SKOR) 70-69, Charles HONG (PHI)
71-68, Janne KASKE (FIN) 71-68, Adam GROOM (AUS) 70-69, Juvic PAGUNSAN
(PHI) 68-71, Brett MUNSON (USA) 70-69, Orlan SUMCAD (PHI) 72-67,
GOH Kun Yang (SIN) 70-69.
140 LEE Chieh-po (TPE) 74-66, Matthew GILES (AUS) 70-70, Poom SAKSANSIN
(THA) 70-70, Joongkyung MO (SKOR) 71-69, KOH Deng Shan (SIN) 70-70,
Mithun PERERA (SRI) 70-70, LU Wei-chih (TPE) 70-70, Namchok
TANTIPOKHAKUL
(THA) 72-68, Seukhyun BAEK (SKOR) 69-71.
Labels: ASIAN TOUR