BARCLAYS SINGAPORE OPEN RELATED STORIES Barclays Singapore Open home page Barclays Singapore Open Preview Round 1: Lam raises local hopes as weather calls a halt Round 1: Zhang enjoys return to Lion City Round 1: Els hits the front in early morning Round 2: Els and Dyson lead as weather strikes again Round 2: McIlroy edges Noh in battle of the teen titans Round 2: Els & Dyson two ahead as second round completed Round 3: Chapchai leads from star-studded chasing pack Round 3: Chapchai in charge by three from Lam Round 4: Jeev holds off major champions for victory Round 4: Lam secures Tour card despite closing 79 Final Scores & Prize Money Asian Tour Order of Merit standings after the Barclays Singapore Open About the course Lahiri gets a slot thanks to Poulter's lost driver Choi tips Noh and Lee for big time In-form Els relishes Singapore swing Adam Scott going for Singapore hat-trick Seven to watch this week Asia's stars tee it up with world's best Harrington looks to Singapore for final 2008 victory Order of Merit chase resumes at Barclays Pornsakon books last Barclays Singapore berth Kiradech wins a place in elite Barclays Singapore field Thai tigers earn their Barclays Singapore stripes Best of Asia headed for Barclays Singapore Open Kiwi Lee gets Barclays Singapore slot Huge field for Barclays Singapore Open qualifying Prom looks for strong return to Sentosa In-form Atwal targets cross-Straits double Mark Brown - What a difference a year makes McIlroy joins Barclays Singapore field in search of maiden title Harrington to play Barclays Singapore Open Big names sign up for $5m Barclays Singapore MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia

Els and Dyson lead as weather strikes again

Ernie Els bolted into the joint clubhouse lead at the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open before it was hit by another lightning storm on Friday.

The South African star returned in the morning to complete his first round in five-under-par 66 which overhauled overnight leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore. After a short break, Els went out again to card a second round 70 at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course.

His two-day total of six-under-par 136 was matched by Simon Dyson of England, who enjoyed a bogey-free 67 while Asia's challenge was carried by big-hitting Thai Chapchai Nirat who fired a 68.

Young Irishman Rory McIlroy also carded a 68 to join Chapchai in a share of third place in the Asian Tour's richest national Open.

Bad weathered rolled into Sentosa at 2.38pm which forced a three-hour suspension of play.

But Els was glad that he was safely in the clubhouse with the lead in the Asian Tour's richest national Open.

"We were very lucky to be on the good side of the draw. We played 15 holes yesterday and it started to rain and there will probably be some storm coming in again so we were quite fortunate from our side of the draw for a change," said Els.

The big South African produced two birdies in two of his remaining four holes of his first round, which was disrupted by weather on Thursday afternoon, and then shot three more birdies against two bogeys in his second round.

"I had a nice finish this morning. I played pretty decent later but just couldn't get the scoring going. I couldn't quite make the side putts and it was kind of difficult getting close to some of these holes. The holes were cut in quite an awkward position but I'm satisfied and I've got a long way to go," said Els.

"Overall, I'm pretty satisfied. I hit the ball pretty nice and I wished I made more putts but I feel quite comfortable and I'm looking forward to the weekend now."

Nicknamed the Big Easy for his smooth golf swing, Els has endured a relatively disappointing season with only one victory on the US PGA Tour. He has also dropped out of the world's top-10 after a record 750 weeks.

"It would be great to win here," said Els, runner-up to Adam Scott in Sentosa in 2006 but missed the cut last year.

"I'm working on my game. My year has been awkward and I'm still trying to get there and get my game back. I won last week (King Hassan II Trophy in Morocco) and that helped the confidence a little bit," said Els.

Dyson has held Asia close to his heart after he claimed three victories, and the prestigious Order of Merit title, in 2000 during his rookie professional season. He produced a bogey-free card in his second round to join Els atop the leaderboard.

After finishing second on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit with two victories, Chapchai has failed to achieve more success but a return to the Barclays Singapore Open has rejuvenated his game.

The beefy Thai, nicknamed "King Kong" by his friends because of his long-driving abilities, came to prominence in Sentosa in 2005 when he finished tied 11th and showed his liking for the course with four birdies against a lone bogey in his second round, to trail the leaders by two shots.

"I hit my driver and three wood really well. The greens are tough to putt on but the birdies that I hit were all from close range. I'm feeling good about myself.

"I've always enjoyed playing in Singapore. I find that I'm always aiming for the pins and it's rewarded me in the past. I'm comfortable being here, so I hope to keep playing well," said the Thai.

American world number three Phil Mickelson was even par after three holes of his second and two over for the tournament while Padraig Harrington of Ireland, a double Major winner this year, parred his opening two holes to lie at one over for the event.

Adam Scott, who has won the Barclays Singapore Open twice, also parred his first two holes but has his work cut out to make the halfway cut as he is five over for the championship.

Leading second round scores (play suspended):

1 Simon DYSON (ENG) -6 (136)
1 Ernie ELS (RSA) -6 (136)
3 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) -4 (138)
3 Rory MCILROY (NIR) -4 (138)
3 LAM Chih Bing (SIN) -4 1
6 Thomas BJORN (DEN) -3 15
6 Marcus BOTH (AUS) -3
8 Mitchell BROWN (AUS) -2 (140)
8 Shigeki MARUYAMA (JPN) -2 (140)
8 Daniel CHOPRA (SWE) -2 17
8 David GLEESON (AUS) -2 17
8 ZHANG Lian-wei (CHN) -2 1

November 14, 2008