Asian Tour stalwarts Jyoti Randhawa and Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang stayed in touch with the leaders at the WGC-HSBC Champions yesterday, but they have their work cut out to get to the top of the leaderboard.
Phil Mickelson birdied the last for a two stroke lead over Tiger Woods and Nick Watney, setting up a dream finale to the World Golf Championship event.
The world No. 2 stroked a 67 to be 14-under for the tournament on 202, with Woods and Watney, the joint second round leaders, breathing down his neck after firing 70s.
Ryan Moore of the US was fourth, three off the lead, while England’s Lee Westwood, who lost to Mickelson in 2007 in a playoff, is a shot further back after a best-of-the-day 65.
India’s Randhawa stroked his second consecutive 70 for a share of sixth with Anthony Kim of the US to be six behind the leader, while Lin also hit a 70 to be a shot further back alongside Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee is also still in the hunt another stroke adrift, but after him the Asian challenge fizzles out.
India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat were 13 off the lead, while Chinese No. 1 Liang Wenchong was 16 behind.
Despite being seven behind Mickelson, Lin said anything could happen on the final day, but admitted his chances were slim.
“There are still 18 holes to go,” the Taiwanese player said. “Maybe a small chance. Phil is a very good player. I’ll just go out there and try to do it. I’ve been lucky in final rounds this year, so hopefully I can have another lucky round on Sunday. I’ll just stay relaxed and play golf.”
Among other Asians, young Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar was 10-over, while Singapore’s Lam Chih-bing faded with a 75 to be four-over.
■MIZUNO CLASSIC
AFP, SHIMA, JAPAN
South Korea’s Song Bo-bae sank a birdie on the last hole to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the USLPGA Tour Mizuno Classic yesterday.
Starting the day two strokes off overnight leader Brittany Lang of the US, Song carded eight birdies against one bogey for a two-round total of seven-under 133.
“My putting was good on the front nine, all single putts, but it was not so good on the back nine. I three-putted on the par-five 13th hole, even though my shots were good,” said Song, who scored her career-lowest score. “Overall, I’m very satisfied. I just want to play my game without thinking of winning.”
Japan’s Akane Iijima hit the day’s best round of 64 to share second place with Kim In-kyung of South Korea. Another Japanese, Rui Kitada, was one stroke further back in fourth place.
Defending champion and world No. 2 Shin Ji-yai of South Korea was tied in fifth place with her rival on the US Tour money list Ai Miyazato, Japan’s 2007 champion Momoko Ueda, Lang and four other golfers.
After carding six birdies against one bogey, Shin said: “I’m satisfied with today’s play. Most of the other players scored low.”
Taiwan’s world No. 4 Yani Tseng shot a second consecutive 69 to sit a further stroke back in joint 17th place, six-under for the tournament.
World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico was in tied 29th place on four-under 140 with nine other golfers, including Taiwan’s Candie Kung (69) and Teresa Lu (70).
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