India’s Anirban Lahiri lies second at the Venetian Macau just a stroke behind Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chen-yao. Hung Chien-yao produced a scintillating seven-under-par 64 to snatch a one-shot halfway lead from title holder Anirban Lahiri of India at the Venetian Macao Open on Friday. The world number 39 Lahiri accumulated an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys to stay on track to successfully defend his title. The Indian star was disappointed though to drop a shot at his last hole.
“It leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I hit a good drive and just got stuck in a terrible lie and it was a bad five,” Lahiri said. “I think I played well, pretty similar to yesterday. But the couple of times I missed the fairway, I found some difficult lies in the rough.”
A four iron approach from 241 yards out set him up for easy eagle and the current Order of Merit leader is hoping his putter will find its full range this weekend. “Every time I hit it close, I didn’t make a putt. I’m in a similar position again (as last year). Hopefully I don’t make these silly mistakes,” he said.
Australian Scott Hend, winner here in 2013 and runner-up to Lahiri last season, stayed in the hunt with a 68 leaving him two back with countryman Sam Brazel, who charged up the leaderboard with a 66.
Hung, who finished tied fifth at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters two weeks ago, said playing with no expectation has been the secret to his good run at the Venetian Macao Open.
“Everything feels good. Driver, irons and putting were good, especially the putting,” said Hung who is leading for the first time on the Asian Tour. “I didn’t push myself and didn’t tell myself that I have to play good. I was relaxed and enjoyed the day. The first six months of the year, I was giving myself too much pressure.”
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