Summary 24-year-old had a rough start on the blustery day with a double-bogey on the first hole
TAIPEI (AFP) - India s Rashid Khan took the halfway lead in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Friday with a two-under-par 70, staying one shot ahead of overnight leader Danny Chia of Malaysia.
Khan, a two-time Asian Tour winner, carded a six-under-par 138 total after the second round at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club s Tamsui course in Taipei.
The 24-year-old had a rough start on the blustery day with a double-bogey on the first hole, but was able to rally with six birdies to claim the lead.
"I kept the ball in play on the back nine and I am happy with where I stand, given the tough conditions out there," said Khan.
"Overall, I feel confident with my game but my short game just wasn t as good today," he added.
Chia, the highest ranked Malaysian on the Official World Golf Rankings, fell to second place after a mixed performance with a pair of birdies and two bogeys.
"It was really windy out there," said the 43-year-old.
Filipino Antonio Lascuna, 44, who tied for second last year, edged ahead to cap off the day in third along with four others including local favorite Pan Cheng-tsung.
"If I can play like how I did last year, I should have a chance to win this week," said Lascuna, who came close to winning his maiden Asian Tour title on three occasions last season.
Scores after round 2 of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters 2015 (par 72)
138 - Rashid Khan (IND) 68-70
139 - Danny Chia (MAS) 67-72
143 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 72-71, Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 70-73, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 69-74, Pan Cheng-tsung (TPE) 71-72, Mithun Perera (SRI) 71-72
144 - Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 75-69, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 75-69, Adam Groom (AUS) 73-71, Yeh Wei-tze (TPE) 71-73, Chan Yih-shin (TPE) 71-73, Unho Park (AUS) 75-69
