Linkou, Chinese Taipei, October 4: Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao broke clear of the chasing pack with an ace and a birdie in his last two holes to snatch the outright first round lead by two shots at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship on Thursday.

Hung’s hole-in-one was the second ace he has recorded since he turned professional in 2012 and it provided the 26-year-old with the bright sparks amid the gloomy weather conditions at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club.

Hung’s opening six-under-par 66 was enough to give him a two-shot cushion over his closest rivals on a rainy day where only 11 players broke par at US$500,000 event.

Malaysia’s Ben Leong also enjoyed a promising start when he returned with a 68 to take second place while four players including China’s Xiao Bowen and Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat were tied for third on 69.

Having only made four cuts in 17 starts on the Asian Tour, Xiao was deeply encouraged by his first round efforts.

The Chinese, who first came into prominence with his breakthrough win on home soil last year, raced ahead with an outward 33. He mixed two birdies and two bogeys for an inward 36 which denied him the outright clubhouse lead in the morning.

Panuphol, who underwent a Lasik eye surgery recently, stayed in the hunt for his third Asian Tour victory and reveled in the rain with four birdies and a bogey for a 68.

Ends.

Did you know?

• Hung Chien-yao’s first hole-in-one was recorded at the Resorts World Manila Masters in 2015. His second professional ace was carded from 177-yards with an eight-iron today
• Hung Chien-yao finished tied-10th in his last Yeangder TPC appearance in 2016.
• His best result this season was a tied-20th finish at the Sarawak Championship in July.
• Hung has yet to win on the Asian Tour but has one Asian Development Tour (ADT) title which he won on home soil in 2013.
• Ben Leong’s best result this season was a tied-10th finish at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan in April. Out of 14 starts on the Asian Tour, he has missed five cuts.
• As an amateur, Ben dominated the Malaysian amateur circuit and spent several years in the United States on a government scholarship where he was attached to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida.
• He qualified for the prestigious US Amateur Championship in 2005 and 2006.
• Panuphol Pittayarat is playing in his eighth season on the Asian Tour.
• He broke into the world’s top-200 for the first time in his career after claiming a one-shot victory on his home course at the Thai Country Club.
• Panuphol turned professional in 2007 at a young age of 14 and was nicknamed ‘Coconut’ by his parents.
• Bowen Xiao has never competed outside China before winning the Asian Golf Championship last year.
• He is the third Chinese player, after Lianwei Zhang and Wenchong Liang, to win on the Asian Tour.

Players’ Quotes

Hung Chien-yao (Tpe) First round 66 (-6)

I didn’t realise I actually made a hole-in-one as it was quite dark. But I heard someone shouted that the ball has gone inside the hole. I’m happy. Somehow I felt very comfortable and confident when I stepped up to the tee today. I guess I had some element of luck with me as well. With the weather and golf conditions today, focus was key and I told myself to put away any distractions that will affect my performance. I managed to do that and I’m happy I’m heading

Ben Leong (Mas) First round 68 (-4)

Actually keeping my clubs and myself dry is already a bonus and to be able to break even an 80 under such conditions is really a good feeling. It was definitely tough and it was not easy out there. The winds were swirling. It comes and goes, it was wet. I started with a bogey and it took a lot to stay focused under such conditions. I stayed patient and play one shot at a time. It has been a roller coaster season and I’m just trying to stay consistent with everything I do.

Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha) First round 69 (-3)

It was very tough out there today with the wind blowing and the rain. So I’m obviously very happy with my 69. I hope to keep the momentum going. It’s another day in the office but it’s just tougher today. I just have to play my own game. I just did my Lasik and I’m happy I don’t need any glasses. So there’s no more excuses of playing in the rain. I’m more comfortable playing in the rain now than before.

Xiao Bowen (Chn) First round 69 (-3)

I was very accurate with my tee shots today and that really helped me with my scores today. It was more satisfying especially playing under such conditions. I played under such conditions last week so I’m mentally prepared for what lies ahead this week.

Yeh Yu-chen (Tpe) First round 69 (-3)

My putting was really good today. I made a total of 26 putts and could have gone even lower if not for several close misses. I knew the weather conditions were not going to be favourable and decided to adopt a safe approach today. I was not too aggressive and I had to stay patient throughout the day. I feel my mental strength is becoming stronger and that could be my advantage this week.

John Catlin (Usa) First round 70 (-2)

Today’s one of the better round of golf I’ve play all-year under such serious weather conditions. It was raining, cold and just not fun. I’m glad to be back in the clubhouse and in the red. I was telling myself to take one shot at a time and I just had to keep going. I made a couple of bogeys early in the round but told myself to stay patient and keep grinding. Obviously a place in Malaysia next week is at the back of my mind. But there’s nothing I can do about it and I just have to see whether my results will take me there on Sunday.

Leading scores after round 1 of the Yeangder TPC being played at the par 72, 7108 Yards Linkou GcC course (am – denotes amateur):

66 – HUNG Chien-yao (TPE).

68 – Ben LEONG (MAS).

69 – YEH Yu-chen (TPE), Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA), XIAO Bowen (CHN), Sihwan KIM (USA).

70 – John CATLIN (USA).

71 – Giwhan KIM (KOR), Prom MEESAWAT (THA), Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS), Andrew MARTIN (AUS).

72 – Matt STIEGER (AUS), Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA), Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI), Micah Lauren SHIN (USA), LIN Wen-ko (TPE), Khalin JOSHI (IND), Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE), Himmat RAI (IND), Marcus BOTH (AUS), Sungho LEE (KOR), Miguel TABUENA (PHI), S.S.P. CHAWRASIA (IND), Justin HARDING (RSA), Adilson DA SILVA (BRA), Gareth PADDISON (NZL).

73 – Genki OKADA (JPN), David GLEESON (AUS), Chapchai NIRAT (THA), Chanachok DEJPIRATANAMONGKOL (THA), LIU Yanwei (CHN), Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA), PENG Hung-ching (TPE), Maverick ANTCLIFF (AUS), LU Wei-chih (TPE), Berry HENSON (USA), Jack HARRISON (ENG), Jbe KRUGER (RSA), Steven JEFFRESS (AUS).

74 – HUNG Chun-kang (TPE), CHEN Yi-tong (TPE), Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN), Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA), Thammanoon SRIROJ (THA), HSIEH Tung-hung (TPE), Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA), Heungchol JOO (KOR), HSIEH Tung-shu (TPE), Antonio LASCUNA (PHI), Hyunwoo RYU (KOR), Shiv KAPUR (IND), Minchel CHOI (KOR), Shaun NORRIS (RSA), Casey O’TOOLE (USA), Miguel CARBALLO (ARG).

Sentosa, Singapore, October 1: You would typically associate Brazil with footballers, formula one drivers and volleyball players, but evident from Adilson Da Silva’s winning feat at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, the country can produce champion golfers as well.

The 46-year-old Da Silva, who started playing on Tour since 2011, finally made a breakthrough at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club on Sunday.

In doing so, he has written his name into the record books by becoming the first Brazilian to win a tournament on Asia’s premier circuit since the Tour’s inauguration in 2004.

“This victory means so much to me,” summarised Da Silva, who always has a special place for Asia in his heart.

“I really like playing in Asia and it’s so special to win here. The atmosphere and the sponsors here are great! Mr George Wong, Chairman of the Mercuries Group, has been here the whole week, talking to players every now and then. You don’t see that anywhere else and I think it’s just wonderful to see,” he added.

Da Silva was in a bit of rut in the first half of 2018, missing six consecutive cuts at the start of the season. He finally turned his game around a fortnight ago at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup, where he finished tied-ninth.

The Brazilian joins an international cast on this year’s list of champions. To date, golfers from 11 nationalities have won on the Asian Tour in 2018, highlighting the Tour’s global influence and appeal.

Following his victory in Chinese Taipei, Da Silva shot up 49 places to 16th on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings. He is now in the running to qualify for the US$7million CIMB Classic.

Shubhankar Sharma of India

India’s Shubhankar Sharma remains at the pinnacle of the Habitat for Humanity Standings with his total earnings of US$$608,494, but in-form golfers such as Korean Sanghyun Park, Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and South African Justin Harding are closing down on the leader.

The top-10 and top-four players (not otherwise exempt) on the Habitat for Humanity Standings will qualify for the US$7million CIMB Classic and US$10 million WGC-HSBC Champions staged in Malaysia and China respectively.

The cut-off date for both events will be upon the conclusion of the US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Chinese Taipei, which will be happening this week.

Top-20 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings

Pos         Player   Order of Merit (US$)

1            Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) $608,494

2            Sanghyun PARK (KOR) $550,612

3            Matt WALLACE (ENG) $446,660

4            Scott VINCENT (ZIM) $414,518

5            Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) $397,877

6            Justin HARDING (RSA) $376,348

7            Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) $372,481

8            Yuta IKEDA (JPN) $338,671

9            Rahil GANGJEE (IND) $296,889

10          Sihwan KIM (USA) $279,624

11          Minchel CHOI (KOR) $278,991

12          John CATLIN (USA) $257,572

13          Berry HENSON (USA) $245,311

14          Paul PETERSON (USA) $241,149

15          Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) $239,502

16          Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) $217,040

17          Shaun NORRIS (RSA) $194,803

18          Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $171,789

19          Danthai BOONMA (THA) $170,590

20          Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) $164,305

Chinese Taipei, September 30: Adilson Da Silva of Brazil claimed a long-awaited victory on the Asian Tour after closing with a third consecutive two-under-par 70 to win by one shot at the storied Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday.

The 46-year-old Da Silva, who held a one-shot lead heading into the final round, fired three birdies on the third, seventh and 13th holes before dropping a shot on the last for a winning total of seven-under-par 281 in the US$850,000 event.

Da Silva, who started playing on Tour after coming through the Qualifying School in 2011, earned a career-biggest prize purse of US$170,000 thanks to his victory. He also became the first Brazilian to win on the region’s premier Tour since it was inaugurated in 2004.

Local hero Lin Wen-tang signed for a 70 to share second place with American Berry Henson, who posted a 69, at the fabled Taiwan Golf and Country Club, which is celebrating its centennial year in 2018.

Qualifying school graduate Heungchol Joo of Korea marked his best result so far this season after battling to a 72 to sit in fourth place alongside South African Justin Harding, who closed with a 72, in what is the longest running full-field event on the Asian Tour.

Despite missing out on his third win of the season, Harding took pride in his commendable result which moved him up two spots to sixth place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, led by India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who finished in tied-42nd place.

The top 10 and top four players (not otherwise exempt) on the Habitat for Humanity standings, as of October 7, will qualify for the US$7 million CIMB Classic and US$10 million WGC-HSBC Champions staged in Malaysia and China respectively.

Did you know?

• Adilson Da Silva became the first Brazilian to win on the Asian Tour following his victory. He also takes home a career-biggest prize purse of US$170,000 thanks to his win.
• Da Silva has an impeccable track record at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. He has not finished outside top-three in his last three starts in the storied event. In his debut appearance in 2012, he also enjoyed a tied-ninth place finish.
• Prior to this week, Da Silva has made only three cuts in 11 starts this season. He started the season with six consecutive missed cuts before claiming a tied-ninth place result in Japan last week.
• Last year, Da Silva came in joint runner-up after finishing two shots back of winner Gavin Green of Malaysia. He used back the same local caddy this week.
• Da Silva welcomed his twin daughters, Sienna and Amelia, three months ago.
• Da Silva enjoyed a career high in 2016 when he was given the honour of striking the first tee shot at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when golf made a return into the programme after 112 years.
• Da Silva has won multiple times on the Sunshine Tour. He started playing extensively in Zimbabwe from between 1996 to 2003, winning more than 30 titles and five Zimbabwean Order of Merit crowns. Played in the British Open in 2000 and 2007.
• Lin Wen-tang is one of Chinese Taipei’s most successful golfers. He holds a total of six victories on the Asian Tour, including the Mercuries Taiwan Masters which he won in 2009. Lin has also won twice on home soil on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
• Berry Henson, a one-time Asian Tour winner, made an amazing return from a career-threatening wrist injury by notching three consecutive top-10 finishes earlier in the season.
• The 39-year-old Henson, who claimed his breakthrough in his rookie year on the Asian Tour in 2011, marked his best result this season with his joint runner-up finish this week.

Players’ quotes:

Adilson Da Silva (Bra) – Final round 70 (-2), Total 281 (-7)

This means so much to me. I really like playing in Asia and it’s so special to win here. The whole atmosphere here is great. The sponsors are great here as well. Mr George Wong, Chairman of the Mercuries Group, has been here the whole week, talking to players every now and then.

You don’t see that anywhere else. I think it’s just great to see. I had a number to make on my mind today. I told myself not to worry about other people’s scores and just focus shot by shot. I think that helped me a lot.

I ignored everything else and managed to do my thing out there. I hit my tee shots very good. I kept giving myself chances in approach shots. If you missed the fairways, it’s very difficult to stop the ball on the greens. But I gave myself a lot of chances by keeping it in play.

I am really comfortable with the layout here. I also think it’s a very fair golf course because if you hit good shots, you will be rewarded. This year, the greens are so good. It’s the best I have ever seen. Over the years, I found a plan to play the course as well.

I was just trying to hit the same shots over and over on every hole. I never change my plan much to be honest. That experiences have helped me a lot a lot. I just kept it very simple really. I didn’t really complicate things too much.

I had a bit of a tough time at the beginning of the year. I struggled with my putting a lot. I was very disappointed because I was playing pretty well. It’s just my putting which has been so bad. It affected my entire game because I wasn’t able to give as much attention in playing good. I couldn’t get anything positive.

But I realised that I am not having a good mindset about my game so I picked myself up, went through my rounds and see what went wrong. I have been working really hard on my putting and it started to pay off. This win just came at the right time.

When you start making putts, you start gaining confidence. I have been changing putters but I kind of switch back to my old ways of putting, my old technique. It’s just so special to finally win in Asia and in a tournament that meant so much to me. I am really happy with myself.

My wife Althea and I just welcomed our twin girls three months ago, Sienna and Amelia. My son is nearly five years old now. I guess they just pushed me to do better. I want to do better for them and I did it. They say newborns give you luck. I guess that’s true!

I had a good feeling out there. I told myself I can do this. I have been putting well and I just have to believe it and stay in the presence. I woke up with the same mindset today. I wasn’t really excited and I wasn’t thinking about my overnight one-shot lead.

I kept a quiet mind and had a number on my mind and just try to achieve it. I think this frame of mind helped a lot. I used the same caddy whom I used last year when I came in joint second. He helped me a lot with the line readings. He is very good.

I enjoyed the same time since I came to play in Asia. I am really happy with my win. I want to send my appreciation to Mr. George Wong again. He’s been such a good sponsor. He’s so keen in getting involved with the game and he’s so passionate about it. He really likes the game. This is what the game needs and it’s really good to see.

Berry Henson (Usa) – Final round 69 (-3), Total 282 (-6)

I got off to a fantastic start. I thought I could make the turn at five-under today. That was my plan last night. I came really close to doing that today. I played fantastic. But I made a bogey on the 10th, which was a tough hole. It was a good bogey actually. I didn’t feel like I lost so much.

I hit a fantastic iron-shot on the 11th hole which kind of got my back into the rhythm. I just missed the putt short. I went on to make an unbelievable birdie on the 17th hole which was massive but just pulled my tee shot a little bit left on the 18th and got a really bad spot.

I got another bad spot after that but hit an unbelievable chip to about four-feet. It’s one of the best shots I have hit all week although I finished with a bogey. There are lots of positives to take from this week. I didn’t play my best golf until today.

I kind of struggled most of the week but my short game kept me in it. Just to have a chance to go for the title was all that I was hoping for this week. I did it so I’ll take it. Still have an outside chance to qualify for the CIMB Classic. Hopefully I can carry on my good form in next week.

Lin Wen-tang (Tpe) – Final round 70 (-2), Total 282 (-6)

Adilson is just so steady today. He really knows his way around this course. I think I played too aggressively as well but I just try to stay light-hearted out there. It’s definitely disappointing to come up short but I really did try my best out there today.

On a windy day like this, you need a little bit of luck around this course too. Adilson is a good player. He’s also a very steady player. I knew I need to shoot a really low number if I want to chase him down. I trust the wind too much today I think.

I am happy with my result. I had fun today. My whole family is here to support me, my wife, my son and my daughter. I am especially thankful to my wife. I think this is the first time she has ever step into a golf course to support me. She has never done that before.

She left with my daughter right after I finished playing. She doesn’t want to get exposed to the public (laughs). The last time she came out to watch me play, she was still my girlfriend and she was so nervous when she watched me putt then.

I will continue to work hard. This course is hard to handle, to be honest. I knew I was just one shot back after the 16th hole. I just got too aggressive on the 17th where I ended up making a mistake.

Justin Harding (Rsa) – Final round 72 (even), Total 284 (-4)

It’s still a good result although it wasn’t quite the weekend that I would like to have. I missed a couple of short putts again. It’s just the same story I had yesterday. I felt like I was in control. I guess you got to hit the fairways on this course.

It was a bit frustrating because you felt like you have the game to do well but it’s not enough to get the job done. I just couldn’t get it going out there. But I’ll take the positives from this week. This should help boost my Merit rankings a bit and still one for week to go before the cut-off date so we’ll see how it goes.

It’s exciting times for me. I have had a good year. I can’t be too upset. I’ll take the positives and figure out the game as I head to the CIMB Classic and potentially the WGC-HSBC Champions.

Scores after round 4 of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters being played at the par 72, 6923 Yards Tamsui Course course (am – denotes amateur):

281 – Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 71-70-70-70.

282 – Berry HENSON (USA) 71-73-69-69, LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 70-72-70-70.

284 – Justin HARDING (RSA) 68-73-71-72, Heungchol JOO (KOR) 75-71-66-72.

285 – Shiv KAPUR (IND) 71-73-71-70.

286 – HSIEH Tung-hung (TPE) 75-71-69-71, Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 73-71-69-73.

287 – Sanghyun PARK (KOR) 74-71-74-68, Shaun NORRIS (RSA) 76-70-71-70, LU Wei-chih (TPE) 73-71-71-72, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 70-72-70-75.

288 – Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) 70-75-74-69, Josh YOUNGER (AUS) 72-72-72-72, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 68-77-71-72, LU Chien-soon (TPE) 72-74-68-74.

289 – John CATLIN (USA) 72-72-73-72.

290 – Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 71-76-75-68, Maverick ANTCLIFF (AUS) 69-72-76-73, Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 72-73-72-73, Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 75-72-70-73, Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS) 72-75-70-73, Lionel WEBER (FRA) 68-73-73-76.

291 – HUNG Chien-yao (TPE) 70-76-74-71, TSAI Chi-huang (TPE) 71-71-72-77.

Ends.

Prague, August 27:  Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green of Malaysia enjoyed a second runner-up finish after closing with a three-under-par 69 at the D+D REAL Czech Masters on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Green, a one-time Asian Tour winner, returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by three birdies to finish on a 17-under-par 271 total, five strokes behind Italy’s Andrea Pavan at the Albatross Golf Resort.

“I played solid today and gave myself a lot of looks, unfortunately some putts didn’t drop on the back nine. I made some putts in the middle but it is what it is and it was a very positive week,” said Green, who had held a share of the opening round lead and took the halfway lead on his own.

“I’m really happy and proud with how I handled myself out there. It was fun playing with Scott (Jamieson), we both had no dropped shots. I knew I had a bit of a cushion in third place so I wanted to go for the pin at 18th and it came up a little short. I hit a really good putt and it was nice to finish like that.

“It was fun to have my dad on the bag and some of my buddies are here so we hung out a lot and it’s nice to have a top three from the week,” added the big-hitting Green, highest-ranked Malaysian in 177th place on the Official World Golf Rankings.

The talented Malaysian also earned for himself a year’s supply of beer after powering his tee-shot 358 yards on the par-five ninth hole at the Albatross Golf Resort. The prize was on offer for the longest drive on that hole on Sunday.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who claimed his ninth Asian Tour title at the Fiji International earlier this month, fired a 66 to finish in tied-seventh position while Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai battled to a 72 to end his campaign in tied-ninth place on 276.

Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent settled 11 shots back in tied-18th place following a 71 while Soomin Lee of Korea carded a 73 to grab a share of 29th place on 279.

Ends.

Chinese Taipei, September 28: Adilson Da Silva of Brazil renewed his love affair with the Tamsui course after carding a two-under-par 70 to grab a share of the halfway lead at the wind-swept Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Friday.

Silva, who holds an impeccable track record in the storied event, fired four birdies against two bogeys under blustery conditions to take his place atop the leaderboard alongside Australian Maverick Antcliff (72), South African Justin Harding (73) and Lionel Weber (73) of France.

The quartet leads by one shot on three-under-par 141 total in the US$850,000 Asian Tour event held at its traditional home at the fabled Taiwan Golf and Country Club, which is celebrating its centennial year in 2018.

Korea’s Heungchol Joo produced the highlight of the day when he stuck an ace on the par-three eighth hole after hitting a four-iron from 172 metres. It was the second time he sank a hole-in-one during a professional tournament.

Local veterans Lin Wen-tang and Tsai Chi-huang signed for respective rounds of 72 and 71 to share fifth place with Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond (72) at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which is celebrating its 32nd edition this week.

The halfway cut was set at four-over-par 148 with a total of 53 players, including one local amateur, advancing to the next two rounds.

Did you know?

• Adilson Da Silva has an impeccable track record at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. He has not finished outside top-three in his last three starts in the storied event. In his debut appearance in 2012, he also enjoyed a tied-ninth place finish.
• Prior to this week, Silva has made only three cuts in 11 starts this season. He claimed a tied-ninth place result in Japan last week to propel to 65th place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings. Needs a strong performance this week to break into top-60 and retain his card for the 2019 season.
• Last year, Silva came in joint runner-up after finishing two shots back of winner Gavin Green of Malaysia.
• Silva enjoyed a career high in 2016 when he was given the honour of striking the first tee shot at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when golf made a return into the programme after 112 years.
• Silva has won multiple times on the Sunshine Tour but is still searching for a first win on the Asian Tour.
• Silva started playing extensively in Zimbabwe from between 1996 to 2003, winning more than 30 titles and five Zimbabwean Order of Merit crowns. Played in the British Open in 2000 and 2007.
• Maverick Antcliff secured his Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School after finishing tied-seventh. He missed only two cuts in 11 starts this season and his best result was a tied-ninth place finish at the Indonesia Open in July.
• The 25-year-old Antcliff came in tied-fourth when he made his Asian Tour debut at the 2017 Asian Golf Championship in China last November.
• Antcliff, who turned professional in 2016, is playing the Mercuries Taiwan Masters for the first time in his career.
• Lionel Weber graduated from the 2013 Asian Tour Qualifying School and is searching for his maiden victory on the region’s premier Tour.
• Weber has been struggling to find his form all-season, missing eight cuts in 15 starts with his best result being a tied-21st place finish in Myanmar earlier in January.
• The 28-year-old Weber found only seven fairways but missed just four greens in regulation in his solid round of 68. He amassed 28 putts in total.
• Justin Harding is playing in only his sixth start on the Asian Tour this season. He has claimed two victories and a runner-up finish so far.
• Harding navigated his way around the greens with only 26 putts in his round of 68.
• Harding broke into top-10 on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings following his second-place result in Japan last week. He sits in a current eighth position.
• The 32-year-old Harding won his first Asian Tour title in his first start on Tour this season at the BANK BRI Indonesia Open in July. He later claimed a six-shot victory at the Royal Cup to become the first player since 2011 to win back-to-back titles on the region’s premier Tour.
• Harding is the higest-ranked player in the field in 97th place on the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

Players’ quotes: 

Adilson Da Silva (Bra) – Second round 70 (-2), Total 141 (-3)

I had a good round although I didn’t finish well. It was tough out there. The wind was swirling. I hit a lot of fairways and gave myself a lot of chances to go for the pins. I just kept it in play. I didn’t do anything that special.

I made a couple of putts in the beginning but made a few three-putts coming back. Other than that, I played solidly. The past experiences have helped definitely. I am pretty familiar with the course and the conditions out there.

Sometimes when the winds are swirling, it’s hard to think about your strategy so I must say the past experiences have helped. This is probably one of the toughest conditions that I have played here.

I would like to win this tournament for sure. It’s a very special tournament to me. I really like playing here and I enjoyed the tournament every time I come back here. The people are friendly and the sponsors are very nice too.

The top-10 finish last week has definitely given me some good form coming here. I hope to keep riding on that good form. I am putting better and I am hitting the ball a lot better too so we’ll wait and see.

Maverick Antcliff (Aus) – Second round 72 (even-par), Total 141 (-3)

It was tough out there. It was quite windy and we got a bit of rain on the front nine which was my back nine. I kind of got off to an average start. It’s pretty tough to start from the 10th hole. It’s a long par-three, especially with the wind and stuff.

I didn’t get off to the best start with the bogey there but I was just trying to stay calm out there and made some good saves. I managed to birdie sixth and seventh which was nice. I putted nicely today. I felt more comfortable with the greens now.

I still have a couple of three-putts but I felt like everyone else will probably do the same out there. I think I didn’t do too bad even the tough playing conditions out there. It could’ve gotten a lot worse.

The wind felt like it swirls around a bit. You just got to trust that the wind is coming out from north-east and stick to it. It’s a big event this week. I came here with the aim to try and play well. I’m happy with where I stand right now, given that it’s my first time here.

It’s nice to be playing solid but it’s golf, I’ll just take it as it comes and see what happens over the weekend.

Lionel Weber (Fra) – Second round 73 (+1), Total 141 (-3)

I’m happy with my day. The conditions were very tough out there. I knew shooting an even-par 72 will be a good score for today. I fought very hard. I was one-under after the first nine holes but lost my momentum after that.

I came back with two birdies and I fought till the end. One-over in this condition, I think it’s a good score. I’m still in contention and in a good position right now so I’m positive for the weekend. My short game was very good today. I made some ome good up and downs.

Justin Harding (Rsa) – Second round 73 (+1), Total 141 (-3)

It was strange today. I felt pretty good at the start but I came out and made mistakes after mistakes. It’s something you can’t do especially on a hard day like this. I thought I bounced back pretty nicely with birdies on sixth and seventh, the two par-fives.

I made two good par-saves on ninth and 10th as well. I thought let’s get the momentum going but went on to make bogey on the 11th hole with a wedge in my hand. It was a difficult day.

It was hard out there, I missed a bunch of greens and just struggled. But at the end of the day, I haven’t played my way out of it.

I kind of figured out that even-par will be a really good score. Looking at the leaderboard now, it seems like the case. Anyone who shot under-par played really great. It’s a tricky golf course and it’s harder given the conditions today. It’s a great layout nonetheless.

I’m nicely positioned for the weekend so hopefully I can put up a good round tomorrow and see what happens. I am very happy with my one-over-par. It felt like a couple under-par to be honest.