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Minoza leads at half way in Singapore

On a day of low scoring at the Island Club in Singapore the stars were outshone by 41 year old Frankie Minoza from the Philippines who returned an amazing 61 for a half way total of 125, 17 under par; one shot out outside the 26 hole European Tour record held by Colin Montgomerie.

After a relatively quiet start, Minoza was 3-under par for the first 9 holes of his second round. He then birdied every hole on the back 9 with the exception of the eleventh and seventeenth where he scored regulation pars for an inward score of 29 and an 18 hole total of 61.

The tournament preview suggested low scoring would be the order of the day and this has proved to be the case. Minoza's 125 was only good enough for a 2 shot lead over the field on another day of very low scoring. Warren Bennet from England after his first round 63 could only manage a 2 under par 69 in the second round to finish tied seventh on 10 under along with Mark Mouland from Wales.

The nearest challenger to Minoza was Masters Champion V J Singh, hot from his victory in Malaya who carded a second round 63 to finish 15 under par, only two shots behind Minoza. Vijay, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Thursday carded 8 birdies, and without any dropped shots this week remains in sight of back to back victories. Three shots further back were joint overnight leader, Padraig Harrington who after a shaky start fought his way back into contention to card 67 and a share of joint third place with Thailand's Priyad Marksaeng who also carded a 63 in the second round.

Colin Montgomerie returned a second round 67 to add to his opening 66 for a 9 under par half way total of 133 but still found himself 8 shots off the lead and was disappointed with the way he'd played "I had to get to 12 under today to be in with a chance and I am not - I missed a couple of short putts and I am stuck at 9 under. There is nothing wrong with my game and I have got a chance if I can shoot something very low at the weekend. I have had a good first 2 weeks and I am looking forward to Dubai and then on to Bay Hill."

With the cut falling at 3 under par, 76 players on that score or better will contest the final 2 rounds at the Island Club Singapore Saturday and Sunday. Sadly Seve Ballesteros despite his Callaway clubs could only add a 6-over 77 to his first round and was amongst those who failed to make the cut.

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