Sep 29, 2017: Gavin Green of Malaysia and Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines share the second round lead at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Saturday. India’s Chikkarangappa S and Shiv Kapur score similar one-under-par 71 to continue the tied ninth position in the second round.
Other Indian Khalin Joshi tied at T14 after scoring two-under-par 70 in the second round.
Green traded three birdies against one bogey for a 70 to continue his fine form while Pagunsan, the 2011 Order of Merit champion, returned with a 69 for a seven-under-par 137 total at the US$800,000 Asian Tour event.
A total of 24 players returned on Saturday morning to complete their rounds. The cut was set at three-over-par 147 with a total of 52 players making the weekend.
Settee Prakongvech of Thailand, who led in the opening round, slipped to a share of third place following a 73alongside Keith Horne of South Africa on 138s.
Adilson Da Silva of Brazil is also in the title mix after carding a 68 to trail the leaders by two shots at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Playing for the first time at the Taiwan GCC, Green struggled in the windy conditions but did well to return with red numbers and stay in contention for a first Asian Tour title.
After finishing second in the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open, Pagunsan produced a solid round highlighted by five birdies against two bogeys. The Filipino is on a mission to claim his first victory since winning his first Asian Tour title in 2006.
Did you know?
- Green bogeyed the par four third hole for the second consecutive day. He dropped only two bogeys while shooting nine birdies in 36 holes.
- He is making his first appearance at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters this week.
- Green is 17-under-par in his last six rounds on the Asian Tour. He has three runner-up results this year and is currently ranked third on the Order of Merit.
- Pagunsan is the first Filipino to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2011.
- He is currently ranked 17th on the Order of Merit. A good result or a victory this week will squeeze him into the lucrative CIMB Classic where the leading 10 players on the Order of Merit as of October 9 will qualify.
- He found only three fairways but made up for it with a hot putter where he made 25 putts.
- Pagunsan’s best result at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters was tied ninth in 2011.
- Settee slipped to third place after leading in the opening round. He is still in the hunt for a first Asian Tour title. This is his second appearance at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. He made his debut in 2014 where he missed the cut.
- Adilson Da Silva is the only Brazilian in the elite field. He shot a 68 to stay within striking distance. Despite the windy conditions, he returned with a bogey-free card.
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