KHON KAEN, Thailand (AP) — Taiwan's Chan Yih-shin held onto a one-stroke lead in the King's Cup despite a disappointing one-over 73 in Friday's second round.
The 32-year-old struggled on the greens, picking up only two birdies against three bogeys, leaving him on 7-under 137 after two rounds at the Khon Kaen Golf Club, a shot ahead of six players in the season-ending Asian Tour event.
"My putting just wasn't clicking for me as I missed a lot of short putts," Chan said. "It was quite disappointing because the conditions were quite easy in the afternoon and I did not put in a good score.
"I have to concentrate in the last two rounds and hopefully my name will still be on top on Sunday."
Among the chasing pack was India's Harmeet Kahlon, who sank a 15-foot eagle on his last hole to finish with a 67, bringing him level with compatriots Rahil Gangjee (64) and Anirban Lahri (72).
"I had a very good round as my putts were falling and I was able to read the greens very well. I have been playing well on the Indian circuit so Im not surprised to be doing good here," said the 39 year old, who has won once on the tour.
Gangjee also eagled the 18th — his ninth hole of the day — and matched the course-record 64 hit by Chan in the opening round.
The Indian needs to finish in the top 65 in the order of merit to get his tour card for next season, and was 63rd entering the tournament.
"After yesterday's first round, I was outside the cut line and I was so stressed out and hit it all over the place. Today was something else, everything clicked," Gangjee said.
"Now, I'm in a different kind of mode. I should be safe."
The other players a shot off the lead were Lin Wen-hong of Taiwan, South Korea's Kim Dae-hyun and Scotsman Ross Bain.
Kim and Bain could have joined Chan atop the leaderboard but both bogeyed their final hole.
A shot further back was Apichai Leelakajornjit of Thailand, whose 71 kept him as the best of the local hopes. He was joined by American Corey Harris (70) and Craig Smith (69) from Wales.
Malaysia's Shaaban Hussin, who started the tournament 65th on the order of merit, missed the cut.
