India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu started the Moutai Singapore Open strong, shooting a 3‑under‑69 on his first nine holes to finish the round at 70. His 28‑point total put him 5‑under‑137 after the second day, good enough to make the cut in the $2 million event at Singapore Island Country Club.
Sandhu, who began from the back nine, earned three birdies early on but slowed on the final stretch. He slipped to tied 50th after 36 holes.
At the halfway mark, South Korean Soomin Lee seized the lead. After birdies on the last two holes of the day, Lee compiled a brilliant 8‑under‑64 for a 12‑under total. Lee’s eight‑under round matched a top score from 14 years ago when he was one of the best at the same course.
Other players who made the cut include Japanese golfers Yosuke Asaji and Tomoyo Ikemura. Asaji carded 2‑under 70 to sit at 7‑under, while Ikemura shot 4‑under 68 to finish at 6‑under.
The event, returning after a pause since 2022, is the penultimate stop on the Asian Tour’s International Series. The series offers a route to the LIV Golf League, making every round important for players chasing bigger opportunities.
Lee welcomed the return. “I have great memories here,” he said. “That comfort tells me I can play my best.” The new layout didn’t stop him, as he recorded nine birdies, including four on the front of the third‑fore hand and just one bogey. He stressed his improved putting and fairway accuracy in a solid performance.
The 32‑year‑old turned professional after winning the 2016 Shenzhen International on the DP World Tour and has five Korean PGA Tour wins under his belt. He has finished second on the Asian Tour twice and recently secured a top‑10 in the International Series Philippines, boosting him into the top 75 of the Order of Merit.
American John Catlin delivered a bogey‑free round featuring an eagle and four birdies, keeping his hopes for a steady place on the Asian Tour alive. Meanwhile, Taiwanese player Wang Wei‑hsuan, who survived a sudden‑death playoff in Macau last month, plays with the momentum from his recent PGA Tour debut.
The cut line was set at 3‑under. Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Japan’s Kazuki Higa both missed the cut narrowly, with scores of 69 and 73 respectively. Filipino Miguel Tabuena, third in the Order of Merit, posted a 68 to become the leading contender with two rounds left.
From the local side, Singapore’s own Brayden Lee and Troy Storm, both from the national amateur squad, made waves. Lee finished 68 (7‑under) while 16‑year‑old Storm battled back to a 72 (5‑under) after a hiccup on the front nine. Their performance adds excitement for home fans and showcases the next generation of talent coming out of Singapore.
Source: ianslive
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