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Ajeetesh Sandhu from India recorded a score of 3-under 69 following his opening round of 70 at the ongoing Moutai Singapore Open, finishing with a total of 5-under 139 and successfully making the cut at the Singapore Island Country Club on Friday. Sandhu had a strong beginning as he started his round on the back 9 of the course today, achieving three birdies during his first nine holes. However, he struggled to maintain the momentum on his back nine, concluding the day tied for 50th at the halfway point in the US$2 million tournament.

In contrast, Soomin Lee took the lead after making birdies on the final two holes, evoking memories of his earlier successes at this same New Course 14 years ago at the Singapore Island Country Club.

The Korean golfer shot an impressive second-round score of eight-under-par 64, bringing his total to 12-under and securing a two-shot lead over a group of 10 players, including Kevin Yuan (64), Matthew Cheung (64), Ian Snyman (65), Wang Wei-hsuan (66), John Catlin (66), Sarit Suwannarut (66), James Piot (66), Caleb Surratt (68), Ollie Schniederjans (68), and Jeunghun Wang (70).

Japan’s Yosuke Asaji and Tomoyo Ikemura both made the cut, with Asaji carding a two-under 70 to move to seven-under overall, while Ikemura posted a four-under 68 to sit at six-under heading into the weekend.

The event, being played for the first time since 2022, is the penultimate stop this year on The International Series – the series of upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League.

Remarkably, Lee shot a 64 here in 2011 to finish second in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, behind none other than former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan – who claimed the title for the second successive year.

“I have good memories here, no doubt,” said Lee. “It's why, when I come here, I feel comfortable, and play with more confidence.”

He is facing a very different New Course this week as it has been re-designed but that did not hold him back as he carded nine birdies, including four on the trot from the third, and one bogey. That bogey came on the second, before it was followed immediately after by those four birdies.

He said: “I started a little slow but bounced back. Yesterday I felt something really good with my putter. I felt if I hit fairways and greens, I would have chances today. That's why I played well today.”

The penultimate hole is a reachable par-four, while the par-five 18th is within range in two.

“Number 17 and 18, I felt are easy holes,” he explained. “I can hit the green at number 17 and 18. If I hit a good driver I can go for the green on 17, like today. On 18 I was just short in two and got up and down for a four.”

He has played on the Asian Tour for the past decade, finishing second on two occasions.

He recorded a top-10 finish in the International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus two weeks ago – a timely result that helped move him into 72nd position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, putting him back in the running to keep his card for next year.

That issue will be resolved by a good week here. Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Catlin was bogey free today, making an eagle and four birdies.

“Pretty solid,” said the American, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour. You know, I drained a long one for eagle on four, it’s always nice, but it's just a solid bogey free round of golf, it's nice to play some good golf.

“I'm definitely playing better, you know, the misses are better. I felt like my good rounds have been good, but my bad ones have been costing me. And, you know, last week in Hong Kong, it was the same, I felt like my misses were very playable.

“I didn't get as much out of my game as I would have liked, but yeah, I felt like my misses are very playable. And, you know, I kept that going this week, and I think I got only two bogeys for 36 holes, so yeah, it's nice to see the hard work paying off.”

Wang lost in a sudden-death play-off at the SJM Macao Open three weeks ago and is leading this year’s Taiwan PGA Tour, with three wins. He is back in contention this week, crediting his debut on the PGA Tour this year for his fine form.

“In June I got into the Canadian Open for my first PGA Tour event, and I watched a lot of great players,” said the Chinese-Taipei golfer, who is one the biggest hitters on the Asian Tour. I think that was good for my improvement. I could see what the best in the world do and how they hit their shots. I saw what I needed to improve on to get better.”

He made it through to the tournament after negotiating a pre-qualifier.

Inputs from Tournament's release

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