Bhullar shoots 69 at Macau Open

MACAU - Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a superb two-under 69 under windy conditions to move into the top-10 and put himself in the race at the $500,000 Macau Open here Friday.

Bhullar, winner of the Indonesia Invitational earlier this year, is now two-under 140 in tied ninth place among those who had finished both rounds. He is five shots behind the clubhouse leader Chinese Taipeis Lin Wen-hong (67).

With darkness forcing an early suspension, 48 players were yet to finish their second round.

Of Indias other challengers, Vikrant Chopra (73, 72) was in the tied 38th place and Rahil Gangjee (72, 74) was tied 46th. Himmat Rai (77, 75) was sure to miss the cut, which was likely at three-over.

Digvijay Singh and C Muniyappa, who had a 74 each in first round were yet to complete their second rounds. Muniyappa showed signs of moving up at three-under after 12 holes in second round, while Digvijay was even after 15. Anirban Lahiri (77) was in tight spot looking for a good second round card but was fighting back at one-under after 12 holes in second round.

It is tough to play under windy conditions. The reason why I am at two-under is because I played in these conditions at the British Open and in Switzerland last week. There are two more days to go so you never know whats going to happen, said Bhullar, who moved up from 36th overnight to ninth in the clubhouse. Seven players, who had not finished their second round, were ahead of him.

The way the conditions are looking, the winning score should be around 10-under. When we teed off in the morning the wind was howling very loudly. I struck the ball well as I didnt miss any fairways and the goal is just to play well each and every week, added the 20-year-old Bhullar.

Lin fired five birdies en route to a four-under-par 67 for a two-day total of seven-under-par 135 to take a one-stroke lead over Angelo Que of Philippines who returned with a 68 at the par-71 Macau Golf and Country Club.

Lin credited his elder brother Lin Wen-tang, a four-time Asian Tour winner, for his good play as he looks to him for inspiration and advice.

My elder brother has always been a good influence and source of motivation for me. I look up to him as hes really a dedicated professional and like him, I hope to win a title on the Asian Tour too, said Lin.

Flamboyant Jean Van De Velde of France, playing on a sponsors invite at the full field Asian Tour event, stayed in touch with Lin on 137 alongside Chinese Taipeis Lu Wen-teh. Koreas Young Nam is a further shot back after posting a 69 for a 138 total.

Australias Andrew Dodt is currently in tied second position on six-under after 12 holes while 10-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Chinese hopeful Wu Ashun lie in tied fourth place on one under and three under respectively also after 12 holes.

Inclement weather forced two play suspensions during the day with the first at 9.05am and the second at 1.45pm.