Singapore Open is a viewer’s delight (Singapore Open Diary)

SENTOSA - Unlike many other major golf events, the Barclays Singapore Open golf is a spectators delight. There are excellent viewing positions at virtually every hole and the whole, though somewhat up-and-down at places, is walkable. Throw in ideally located water and refreshment kiosks, and it makes it very comfortable indeed for the spectators.

But the best view is reserved for the patrons, sponsors and the media. They are all located in the various marquees surrounding the twin greens on the ninth and 18th. Enclosed from three sides by the marquees, the ninth and 18th fairways are split by a huge water body. Then there is a bunker at the bottom of both the greens, which are large and make for excellent viewing for those in the privileged boxes.

And the course, of course, is just incredible looking.

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Keeping the boss happy

The unsung Chan Yih-shin of Chinese Taipei knows how to keep his locally-based boss happy - play well at the star-studded Singapore Open. Chan qualified and finished 32nd in last years tournament and is on track to better that performance this week after an eye-catching opening four-under-par 67 at Sentosa Golf Club.

My sponsor Eason Chen of MyGolf lives in Singapore and he is here this week, so I have to perform well! I have to keep the boss happy. Im staying with him and he looks after me really well, said Chan, who qualified for this years tournament with a 65 over the Tanjong Course.

Chan missed six straight cuts on the Asian Tour during the first half of the season but bounced back with a tied fifth at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and was equal 18th at last weeks Iskandar Johor Open.

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Singapore Sling for Poulter

Guess how Ian Poulter celebrated his taking the clubhouse lead at the $5 million Barclays Singapore Open.

Poulter in a post on social networking site, Twitter, revealed that he visited the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel. The Englishman who is followed by 770,000 readers on twitter also posed for a picture with a half-full glass and asked: Here is a picture of a drink at the Long Bar at Raffles, what is it called? The answer: Singapore Sling.

Poulter last year withdrew from the same tournament after losing his driver at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai a week earlier. This time around, the Shanghai event comes after the Singapore Open.

He shot a five-under-par 65 at Sentosa Golf Club Thursday and held a one-stroke lead over South Africas Ernie Els and the unheralded Chan Yih-shin of Chinese Taipei. He maintained the lead till the weather-hit first round got over Friday morning.