2006 Taiwan Open - Round 2: Rusnak roars ahead in second round

American Gary Rusnak is on the march at the Taiwan Open as he fired a sizzling six-under-par 66 for the second round lead on Friday.

Rusnak, who is determined to secure his card for next season, fired seven birdies against a lone bogey to take the top spot at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club. He holds a one-stroke lead over Australia’s Pat Giles who carded a similar score at the US$300,000 event.

Rusnak, who is currently ranked 65th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, will be vying for a strong end to the season as only the top-60 from the UBS Order of Merit will book their spot for the 2007 season.

Home hero Lin Wen-tang shot a 68 and was in tied third spot alongside overnight leader Kane Webber of Australia who carded a 71.

Rusnak, 43, playing in his 17th event this year, scored a two-day total of eight-under-par 136 and is three strokes ahead of Korea’s Lee Sung who shot a 68 in tied fifth place.

After a 67, England’s Yasin Ali improved in joint fifth together with defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant who carded a 69. Chinese Taipei’s Lin Keng-chi and Filipino Angelo Que carded matching 70s also in tied fifth place.

Thanks to his solid putting in the second day, Rusnak enjoyed a smooth run on the front nine with birdies on the second, third and sixth holes. After a dropped shot on the 10th hole, Rusnak replied with a massive 30 foot birdie putt at the 11th hole and fired two more birdies on the 13th and 14th hole.

“I enjoyed the round today as I was putting really well and the calm conditions had also helped me produce a good score,” said Rusnak who ended his run with a 12 foot birdie putt at the 17th hole.

Giles, 29, was in top gear as he fired eight birdies against a double bogey. With four birdies against three bogeys, Webber will be on the ball hoping to regain the top position.

“I played well and I am satisfied as I’m only two strokes behind the leader so I think I can catch the leader in the third round,” said Webber.

Wen-tang, who finished in the top-10 at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday, remained steady this week with six birdies against two bogeys in tied third spot.

“I was solid of the tee and I really enjoyed the eighth hole as I chipped in for birdie 10 yards away from the pin,” said Wen-tang who is in search of his first Asian Tour title.

After a disappointing start with a 76 in the opening round, S.S.P Chowrasia bounced back with a 69 in tied 42nd place. Chowrasia, after having been disqualified last week for not signing his scorecard, is eager to make amends as he shot six birdies, one bogey and a double bogey.

Leading second round scores
136 - Gary Rusnak (USA) 70-66
137 - Pat Giles (AUS) 71-66
138 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-68, Kane Webber (AUS) 67-71
139 - Lee Sung (KOR) 71-68, Yasin Ali (ENG) 72-67, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-69, Lin Keng-chi (TPE) 69-70, Angelo Que (PHI) 69-70
140 - Anthony Brown (AUS) 70-70, Barry Hume (SCO) 71-69
141 - Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 71-70, Simon Yates (SCO) 70-71, Gerald Rosales (PHI) 72-69, Rick Gibson (CAN) 71-70, Richard Moir (AUS) 69-72, James Stewart (HKG) 72-69, Brad Iles (NZL) 72-69

October 6, 2006

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