Lin takes narrow halfway advantage

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang seized a one-stroke halfway lead at the US$400,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Friday but will have to contend with in-form title holder Thaworn Wiratchant, who is lurking four off the pace.

The 31-year-old Lin fired a three-under-par 69 in the second round at Taiwan Golf and Country Club's Tamsui course and his two-day total of five-under-par 139 was one better than compatriot Lu Wei-chih.

Lu, who like Lin is searching for his first Asian Tour title, moved into contention with a matching 69 while veteran Lu Wen-teh, winner here in 1994 and 1996, carded a 71 for third place on 141.

Thailand 's Thaworn, who won last week's Taiwan Open to regain his top spot on the Order of Merit, bounced back from a dismal 74 to shoot a 69 for tied fifth place, in prime position for a weekend charge.

Lin, currently 24th on the Asian Tour money ranking, has posted 11 career top-10s since 1998 but is dreaming of a maiden title. His younger brother Wen-ko beat him to a first Asian title, winning the Mercuries crown two years ago but the older sibling is looking to set the record straight.

"I think I have a good chance this week. I'm chipping and putting well but must improve my driving at the weekend," said Lin, who was tied 18th in last week's Taiwan Open.

"The overnight rain softened the fairways which made it easier to play the course. When it was firm earlier this week, the ball was running off the fairways and into trouble. I was also lucky as I made two great par saves by chipping in on the ninth and 18th holes."

He started with a bogey on the second hole following a three putt but birdies from 12 feet and eight feet on the fifth and eighth holes saw him turn in one-under. He missed the green on 10 to drop another bogey but soared to the top of the leaderboard after three straight birdies from the 12th to 14th holes.

The 38-year-old Thaworn, enjoying a rich vein of form, moved menacingly up the leaderboard after a glorious eagle on the par five seventh, which was his 16th hole of the day. He cracked a three iron approach from 200 yards out to six feet of the pin for an easy eagle putt.

"That was really good because I had bogeyed the previous hole, which was also a par five. I was a bit erratic with my game today and need to be more consistent. The windy conditions were confusing at times but I think I have a good chance to challenge the leaders now," said Thaworn.

Australian rookie Kurt Barns stormed into fourth place on 142 after an outstanding 66, a 10-shot improvement from his opening round while tied with Thaworn on 143 in fifth place are Australians Pat Giles and Scott Strange, last week's third round leader in the Taiwan Open, and Venezuelan Gilberto Morales.

Overnight leader Hsu Mong-nan endured a tough day as he stumbled to a 78 for tied 20th place while Marcus Both of Australia, second overnight, returned a 79 to make the halfway cut right on the four-over-par 148 mark.

A total of 53 players qualified for the last two rounds in what is the 19th leg of this season's Asian Tour.

Leading second round scores

139 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-69

140 - Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 71-69

141 - Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 70-71

142 - Kurt Barnes (AUS) 76-66

143 - Pat Giles (AUS) 73-70, Scott Strange (AUS) 71-72, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 74-69, Gilberto Morales (VEN) 70-73

144 - Robin Hodgetts (AUS) 71-73, Olle Nordberg (SWE) 71-73, Gary Rusnak (USA) 72-72, Lu Wei-lan (TPE) 74-70

145 - Jason Knutzon (USA) 72-73, Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 71-74, Angelo Que (PHI) 71-74, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 73-72, Jochen Lupprian (GER) 72-73, Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 76-69, Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 71-74

146 - Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 72-74, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 71-75, Ron Won (USA) 73-73, John Wither (SCO) 74-72, Kao Bo-song (TPE) 71-75, Chen Tze-chung (TPE) 74-72, Ross Bain (SCO) 75-71, Jason Dawes (AUS) 75-71, Gerry Norquist (USA) 71-75, Shiv Kapur (IND) 74-72, Hsieh Tung-shu (TPE) 73-73, Hsu Mong-nan (TPE) 68-78, Matt Keegan (AUS) 74-72, Rick Gibson (CAN) 74-72, Harmeet Kahlon (IND) 71-75, Andrew Pitts (USA) 72-74

147 - Gary Simpson (AUS) 74-73, Arjun Singh (IND) 75-72, Lee Sung-man (KOR) 72-75, Chen Chung-Cheng (TPE) 73-74, Mike Capone (USA) 78-69, Hsieh Min-Nan (TPE) 72-75, Pablo Del Olmo (MEX) 76-71, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 72-75

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