Singapore Open: Song shoots 63 to fire into the lead

Report by Asian Tour
January 29, 2016: Korea’s Younghan Song carded a sparkling eight-under-par 63 that saw him soar atop the leaderboard after the second round of the US$1 million SMBC Singapore Open on Friday. Rahil Gangjee was 1-under (-4 overall) through three holes when the second round was suspended for inclement weather. Himmat Rai shot 69 to ride upto T11 on the leaderboard.

The Korean was on fire as he marked his card with seven birdies, one eagle and a bogey to establish a two-shot advantage over Japan’s Shintaro Kobayashi with his two-day total of nine-under-par 133 at the Sentosa Golf Club.

Kobayashi showed no signs of fatigue despite having to return early to complete his first round which was suspended due to lightning yesterday.

The Japanese followed up his opening effort of a 66 with a 69 to put himself in a commanding position for the weekend rounds.

Song, who is still searching for his maiden professional victory, was delighted to have found himself in a position which he has always been eyeing.

The Korean stormed off the blocks quickly, going into five-under after four holes with two birdies and an eagle-three on four.

He charged towards the turn with another two birdies on seven and eight and continued to set the scorching pace with another pair of birdies on 10 and 11 before a bogey-five on 12 put the brakes momentarily on his charge.

After three straight pars from 13, Song sunk another birdie on 16 before reaching home comfortably in 63.

“It was a superb round and I really have to thank my excellent putting for putting me in this position.

“The goal is to win the tournament this week and for now, I just want to take a good rest before I come back again and hopefully play well like what I did today,” said Song.

Kobayashi meanwhile completed his remaining six holes from the first round with three birdies and two bogeys.

The 29 year-old had slightly more than an hour of rest before he was back at the tee again.

The Japanese went out in 35 after three birdies and two bogeys and would make another birdie on 17 to sign for a 69.

“I didn’t feel tired at all today. Maybe because it was cool in the morning and it only started to get a little hot and humid as the day went on.

“I feel comfortable on this course and if I continue to play like what I’ve done, anything can happen,” said Kobayashi.

Leading scores after round 2 of the SMBC Singapore Open being played at the par 71, 7398 Yards Sentosa GC course (am – denotes amateur):
133 – Younghan SONG (KOR) 70-63.
135 – Shintaro KOBAYASHI (JPN) 66-69.
138 – Paul PETERSON (USA) 68-70, Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) 69-69, Brett MUNSON (USA) 71-67.
139 – Sanghyun PARK (KOR) 70-69, Himmat RAI (IND) 70-69, Berry HENSON (USA) 66-73, Sam BRAZEL (AUS) 72-67, Tadahiro TAKAYAMA (JPN) 71-68, Yuki INAMORI (JPN) 67-72.
140 – Brad KENNEDY (AUS) 71-69, Michael HENDRY (NZL) 72-68, Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) 70-70, Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 70-70, LEE Won-joon (AUS) 71-69.
141 – Carlos PIGEM (ESP) 70-71, Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 70-71, Mikumu HORIKAWA (JPN) 73-68.
142 – Steve LEWTON (ENG) 74-68, Y. E. YANG (KOR) 70-72, Yoshinori FUJIMOTO (JPN) 74-68, Richard T. LEE (CAN) 70-72, Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 70-72, Ippei KOIKE (JPN) 71-71, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 69-73, James LEOW (am, SIN) 72-70.

Selected scores
147 – Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA)
152 – Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 78-74