2006 Volvo Masters of Asia - Round 2: Thongchai takes halfway lead

New Asian number one Jeev Milkha Singh had a special return on his 35th birthday on Friday, signing for a sparkling six-under-par 66 which catapulted him up to joint third place at the halfway stage of the US$650,000 Volvo Masters of Asia.

Singh, going for his third win in a Volvo sponsored tournament this year, started his round spectacularly with back-to-back birdies at Thai Country Club.

The Indian, whose four victories worldwide this season have seen him shoot up to number 45 in the world rankings, went on to card six more birdies against two bogeys.

“It was a nice birthday gift with a 66 today, so I will take that. I did not hit the ball too good but I putted great today,” said Singh, the winner of both the Volvo China Open and the Volvo Masters in Europe.

“I am happy with the way I came back today (after an opening 72). I was sharp on the golf course. I did not miss the greens on the wrong side today and when I did I made some good up and downs.”

Singh could have gone even lower if not for a couple of dropped shots on the back nine.
“I had a great start with birdies on the first and second holes. After that I was seven under but two bogeys on the back were the only sour thing,” said Singh, who secured the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit title with a joint third place finish in the penultimate event of the season, the UBS Hong Kong Open.

“I made a bogey on 13, I had a bad lie just off the green and had no shot. I got on the green and two putted from 15 feet.

“On 15, I hit a bad drive into the bunker and was up against the lip. I was short of the green with my sand wedge approach and missed a 10 foot par putt. I had a long birdie putt on number 10, I holed it from just off the fringe. Earlier I made a long one on number eight, 25 foot.”

Singh said that he would be making a big push for victory to claim a unique hat-trick of Volvo titles. “The scoring was quite good today, There is a lot of golf left but I have two more days to try. The beauty of this tournament is that there is no cut so that is the best part,” he said.

“I will just go out there and try my best. It is not over until the last putt is holed out. I have got two days left so I will give it a go and see what happens. This round has got me in the mood to give it my best effort.”

After his round on Friday a group of caddies at Thai Country Club sang ‘Happy Birthday’ as he blew out the candles on a cake gifted to him by everybody involved in the season finale.

“It was nice to get a cake and for the caddies to sing ‘Happy Birthday’,” beamed Singh. “I have no plans to celebrate my birthday. I am just going to have dinner in the hotel and then hit the sack as usual.”

December 15, 2006

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