UBS HONG KONG OPEN RELATED STORIES UBS Hong Kong Open Preview Round 1: Randhawa and Lara tied for lead Round 1: Singh protects Order of Merit position Round 2: Lara leads as Zhang fires 63 for third Round 2: Randhawa and Singh battle for OoM Round 3: Pagunsan leads Asian challenge to Lara Round 3: Pagunsan, Thongchai boost OoM chances Round 4: Lara wins maiden title at UBS HK Open Round 4: Singh wins Asian Tour Order of Merit Final Scores & Prize Money Monty intent on defending HK title Prom hoping to close in on Singh in Fanling Singh hopes to shine at Fanling despite injury Asians aim to end European monopoly at Fanling Jimenez aiming to reclaim HK crown Local hopefuls play for slots in HK Open Asian hopes high ahead of UBS Hong Kong Open More European stars confirmed for Fanling Goosen and Campbell on a high for Hong Kong Choi joins stars to shine at Fanling Monty & Major winners fired up for Fanling More about the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Paul Azinger names US wildcards Faldo chooses Casey and Poulter Havret gains wire to wire Gleneagles win Sluman clinches First Tee Open with closing 67 Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Poulter chooses high risk Ryder Cup strategy

Randhawa and Singh battle for Order of Merit

India’s Jyoti Randhawa is in hot pursuit of compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh for the UBS Order of Merit crown after a steady second round performance at the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open on Friday.

The 34-year-old Singh achieved a two-day total of seven-under-par 137 in joint sixth spot but Randhawa will be riding on his fine form hoping to close in on the Volvo China Open champion at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Singh, who enjoyed success in Asia and Europe this season, leads the Order of Merit ranking with earnings of US$470,108. Thailand’s Prom Meesawat trails Singh by US$118,237 in second place but it is the 14th ranked Randhawa, with US$188,485, who is making a move for the crown.

Randhawa, who is the 2002 Asian number one, set the pace in the first round at Fanling as he continued to remain in the forefront after a 69 with two birdies against a lone bogey in tied in sixth place with Singh.

With a win at the Hero Honda Indian Open last month and currently in formidable form, Randhawa hopes to make a charge over the weekend.

“I aim to have the same approach as I did on Thursday. Today wasn’t too good but I want to recover and bounce back with a strong run tomorrow (Saturday),” said Randhawa.

Despite being forced to adopt a cautious approach this week after sustaining a wrist injury in September, Singh remains unfazed as he heads into the last two rounds in high confidence.

“I’m hitting some good shots. I’m happy I made the cut and I’m in a good position right now for a strong finish,” said Singh.

Prom was unable to improve on his opening round performance when he carded his second consecutive 69 in joint 35th place as he slips behind in the Order of Merit race

November 17, 2006