Canada’s Lindsay Renolds kept his lead and stayed on track to win his first Asian Tour title, shooting a second round four-under-par 68 at the Philippine Open on Saturday.
The Phuket-based Canadian was followed closely by Scott Barr of Australia, who shot a 66 at the Luisita Golf and Country Club.
“It is exciting to be in this position. My game feels good and I feel good. I’m not really worried or nervous,” said 29-year-old Renolds, who needs to win the tournament to keep his Asian Tour card next year.
– The Joy of Golf: The movers and shakers of 2015
– #360business: Keeping Ladies European Tour on course
– #360view: It was right to invite Paige Spiranac to Dubai
“Obviously there’s a lot on the line tomorrow but if I play good golf then things will work out the way it should.”
The Philippine Open, which was slashed to 54 holes due to a one-day delay from Typhoon Melor, will end on Sunday.
Second-placed Barr needs to improve his 64th place Order of Merit ranking by a notch to keep his Asian Tour card next year.
“I’m pleased. Obviously this is a huge week,” said Barr, who said he got a “great” putting lesson with old Asian Tour member Ahmad Bateman.
“Obviously when the putter starts rolling, the fairways get wider and everything gets easier,” he said.
The swing of overnight leader @lmrenolds #PhilippineOpen pic.twitter.com/jQveraLBCg
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) December 19, 2015
Home favourite Miguel Tabuena shared third place with five-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, Kalle Samooja of Finland and Giwhan Kim of Korea.
Leading scores:
134 – Lindsay Renolds (CAN) 66-68
135 – Scott Barr (AUS) 69-66
136 – Kalle Samooja (FIN) 69-67, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-69, Giwhan Kim (KOR) 68-68, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 67-69
137 – Keith Horne (RSA) 69-68, Khalin Joshi (IND) 70-67, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 67-70, Niall Turner (IRL) 69-68, Jeunghun Wang (KOR) 67-70
138 – Simon Griffiths (ENG) 70-68, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (THA) 68-70
139 – Mardan Mamat (SIN) 68-71, Charlie Wi (KOR) 70-69, Charles Hong (PHI) 71-68, Janne Kaske (FIN) 71-68, Adam Groom (AUS) 70-69, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 68-71, Brett Munson (USA) 70-69, Orlan Sumcad (PHI) 72-67, Goh Kun Yang (SIN) 70-69