Jeev Milkha Singh watches his shot during the second round of the
Asia-Japan Okinawa Open.
KOCHINDA, Okinawa Pref. (Kyodo) India's Jeev Milkha Singh sizzled with career high Friday in a bogey-free round of 9-under-par 62 to take sole possession of the lead after the second round of the Asia-Japan Okinawa Open.
Singh, who teed off in fourth on the front nine, made nine birdies featuring five after the turn, giving himself a four-stroke lead over Taiwan's Lin Chie-hsiang on 13-under 129 at the Naha Golf Club in Okinawa Prefecture.
"I've scored 9-under on a par-72 course twice but it's the first time on a par-71 course," said Singh, whose 9-under also matched a career best. Lin fired a 67 to sit alone in second on 133 while overnight leader Charlie Wi of South Korea dropped into third, five shots off the pace after a round of 69.
Ryoken Kawagishi and Makoto Inoue, who both shot 67s, were in a quartet, including Wang Ter-chang of Taiwan and Australia's Scott Barr, tied for fourth on 7-under 135.
Okinawa natives Kiyoshi and Yusaku Miyazato, the elder brothers of JLPGA star Ai Miyazato, made the cut but were back in 21st and 57th place, respectively.