Sandhu eyes another title in Taiwan
Indian ace one ahead of the pack; Suradit, Tirawat follow in fourth place after second round
>> TAMSUI: India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu made his move up the leaderboard by signing for a secondround three-under-par 69 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend rounds at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday.
Sandhu, who started his round one shot off the pace, mixed his card with five birdies and two bogeys to post a two-day total of seven-under 137 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
That gave him a slim advantage over Argentina’s Miguel Carballo, who made his return to the Taiwan Masters in the most convincing way by firing a 66 to take clubhouse lead earlier in the morning.
Carballo missed the cut in his debut in the tournament last year but is now back as an Asian Tour winner after lifting his maiden title in Indonesia last month. He is among the genuine contenders for the title this week.
The Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena overcame an early scare where he dropped two shots in his opening three holes by recovering quickly with three birdies on holes four, five and six before returning with a 72 to take outright third place, two shots back of Sandhu.
India’s S Chikkarangappa, who missed cuts in his last two events, found relief as he also progressed into the weekend rounds after posting a 71 to take a share of sixth place.
Suradit Yongcharoenchai (69) and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (68) were the best Thai performers on 140.
“I’m absolutely pleased with how I’ve played the last two days. It’s always nice to be leading a tournament but there’s still a long way to go,” said Sandhu, who won his first Asian Tour title in Taiwan in 2017.
“This is a country where I’ve won before and that feeling definitely adds to the positive vibes I have this week.
“I played pretty solid for the first two rounds and just want to continue the same and see where that will take me to.”
Carballo said: “I’m gaining a lot of confidence especially after my win in Indonesia last month. I feel like my game is becoming sharper.”
(par-72)
137 — Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND) 68-69
138 — Miguel Carballo (ARG) 72-66
139 — Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-72
140 — Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 71-69, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (THA) 72-68