Singapore: Indian golfer Rashid Khan fired a two-under 69 to take the joint fifth position after the second round of the inaugural World Classic Championship here on Friday.
Rashid, who had scored a 75 in his opening round, now has a two-day total of 144. He shares the fifth spot with Australia’s Josh Younger (73, 71) and the experienced Thaworn Wiratchat (76, 68) of Thailand.
Chikka S. and Abhijit Chadha shared seventh position with identical totals of 146. Chikka fired a 70 in the second round while Chadha returned a score of 74.
At the top of the table, Australia’s Scott Barr carding an even-par 71 to surge into the sole lead at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club. He marked his card with two bogeys and two birdies for a two-day total of two-under-par 149
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung went out with all guns blazing by firing a 67 to stay a single shot back of Barr. Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman (both 142) returned matching second round scores of 71.
Play was suspended for over two hours due to thunderstorms in the afternoon and the second could not be completed due to fading light. A total of 66 players will now have to return on Saturday morning to finish their second round at the inaugural US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
Barr, who is chasing his breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour, lacked many birdies opportunities on a day where he could only make 30 putts. But while he was left to rue those missed chances, the Singapore-based Australian made up for it by playing cautiously and relying on his local knowledge of the course.
“I didn’t hole as many putts for birdies as I did yesterday but I didn’t make too many mistakes out there. I just couldn’t get it close enough to make the putts,” he said.
“If you’re in trouble, just try to make a bogey. You just play for a bogey and not try to risk it. I just want to keep trusting myself and my game,” the 43-year-old added.