Turner Trails Song and Spieth in Singapore

Niall Turner finished his second round at the SMBC Singapore Open signing for a level par round on Friday to hold  a share of 30th place - eight strokes off the lead. But only three shots behind Jordan Spieth who also signed for a level par second after opening with a  67 the previous day.

Korea’s Younghan Song surged up the leaderboard after carding an eight-under-par 63 in the second round of the weather-hit event on Friday.

Play was suspended because of inclement weather at 3.06pm (local time) and could not resume due to thunderstorms and lightning activities around the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.

A total of 78 players, including world number one Jordan Spieth and Byeonghun An who completed seven holes, will return to finish their rounds at 7.30am on Saturday morning with round three scheduled to start immediately upon the completion of the second round.

An was at seven-under while Spieth traded one birdie and one bogey to stay at four-under after six holes, five shots back of Song at the US$1 million event which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

“I didn’t get off to a great start but made a good birdie on number two. That’s golf, that’s weather, you can’t control that. I could tell it was bad on other parts of the course,” said Spieth.

Song was on fire as he marked his card with seven birdies, one eagle and a bogey to establish a two-shot advantage over Japan’s Shintaro Kobayashi with his two-day total of nine-under-par 133.

The Korean stormed off the blocks quickly in the morning, going to five-under after four holes with two birdies and an eagle-three on four.

He charged towards the turn with another two birdies on seven and eight and continued to set the scorching pace with another pair of birdies on 10 and 11 before a bogey-five on 12 put the brakes momentarily on his charge.

After three straight pars from 13, Song sunk another birdie on 16 before reaching home comfortably in 63.

“It was a superb round and I really have to thank my excellent putting for putting me in this position.

“The goal is to win the tournament this week and for now, I just want to take a good rest before I come back again and hopefully play well like what I did today,” said Song.

Kobayashi meanwhile showed no signs of fatigue despite having to return early to complete his first round which was also suspended due to lightning yesterday.

The Japanese followed up his opening effort of a 66 with a 69 to put himself in a commanding position for the weekend rounds.

The 29 year-old had slightly more than an hour of rest before he was back at the tee again.

The Japanese went out in 35 after three birdies and two bogeys and would make another birdie on 17 to sign for a 69.

“I didn’t feel tired at all today. Maybe because it was cool in the morning and it only started to get a little hot and humid as the day went on.

“I feel comfortable on this course and if I continue to play like what I’ve done, anything can happen,” said Kobayashi.

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Clarke Ready to Singh at Eurasia

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Captains Darren Clarke and Jeev Milkha Singh are predicting another close contest when the cream of Europe goes up against the might of Asia in the second edition of the EURASIA CUP presented by DRB-HICOM. 

The inaugural tournament in 2014 ended 10-10 after a thrilling final day fightback by the Asian team and, given how closely the sides are again matched this week, neither man would be surprised if it were to end in another draw at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. 

Clarke, who can call on the might of Ryder Cup veterans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood in his 12-strong team, believes that whilst Europe may boast a marginally stronger line-up on paper, home advantage could prove pivotal for Singh’s side. 

He said: “We are playing in the Asian team’s backyard, so they are a bit more used to the heat and humidity than we are, which may give them a bit of an advantage. When the humidity comes with this sort of heat, it is quite oppressive. And it probably feels even hotter than the last time we were here. But with the co-sanctioned events we have in Asia, the Europeans do have experience playing here. 

“So it’s too close to call, and I think there’s a pretty good chance it could end in another draw. You have two very strong teams, and because it’s match play anything could happen. Hopefully it will be every bit as exciting as last time. Although I don’t know how our nerves will be at the end of the week!”

Those sentiments were echoed by Singh, who revealed it was an honour to be asked to follow Thongchai Jaidee as captain of the Asian team. 

Much like his predecessor, the genial Indian has vowed to adopt a relaxed approach to the role and will allow his charges to express themselves. 

“I believe in our players,” Singh said. “I know that all of them have the experience. They are used to the weather. They have played in Asia many times, and they play these kind of courses all the time.

“So I just basically have to make sure they are comfortable, happy, and relaxed. When all of these things are given to him, that’s when a player plays his best. And I don’t even have to tell them to try their best, because I know they are all going to give 100 per cent.”

The action gets under way on Friday with six fourball matches, followed by the foursomes on Saturday and concluding with Sunday’s 12 singles matches.

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Clarke Plays New Dubai Open

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Darren Clarke is teeing up at the inaugural Dubai Open with the intention of making a difference in the lives of women in the UAE.

The Ulsterman will be wearing a breast cancer awareness badge on his collar this week at the Els Club Dubai in hope of raising more awareness amongst the women in the UAE where 28% of female deaths have been due to breast cancer.

With his wife Heather succumbing to breast cancer in 2006, Clarke is keen to play a role while in Dubai for the final tournament of the 2014 Asian Tour season.

“Well, first and foremost, I’m here because of David Spencer and Mohamed Juma Bumaim (strategic adviser and vice chairman of golf in DUBAi respectively). They have been friends of mine and they kindly asked me to come along and play,” said Clarke today.

“Golf in DUBAi do such a wonderful job with all the tournaments they manage, the Ladies, the Dubai Desert Classic, this one and the MENA Tour. And for different reasons as well; our foundation is actively involved in breast cancer and I’m trying to promote that.

“Spenny gave me an interesting stat last night. He said 28% of female deaths in the UAE die of breast cancer, and that’s an amazing stat and that will be reduced by 50 per cent with early detection. I’ve got my breast cancer awareness badge, it’s over there (collar). It’s something close to my heart for obvious reasons and it’s because of efforts that Spenny and Mohamed do that make that difference. I’m here because I want to support them because they have supported me throughout my career.”

The 2011 British Open winner is eager to put on a strong showing at the immaculate Els Club Dubai against the stars from the Asian Tour despite a lack of success in recent times. The 46-year-old Ulsterman said he still had the desire to compete at the highest level, while also enjoying playing the mentor role to young golfers such as stablemate Tommy Fleetwood of England.

“In terms of what I want to do, I want to play. I love the game and I hate the game. Of late, I’ve hated the game a bit more than I love the game but that’s the game of golf. That’s professional sport. It’s not always pitching up in beautiful venues such as here and going out and having a good time on the golf course. It’s our job and sometimes we love it and sometimes we don’t,” he said.

“You play well and it’s brilliant; if you struggle a little bit, it’s not so much fun but you have to keep battling on for the good times. That’s why I’m still doing it because I love the game and I always will love the game.

“It’s great to have an opportunity where I can maybe offer the likes of Tommy a bit of advice, only because I’ve been through it all, seen every coach in the world, even every mental coach, I think I’ve destroyed 90 per cent of them!

“I’ve seen everybody there is to see at this stage of my career, and it’s nice to give back, especially somebody of Tommy’s talent coming through who is, as I say, going to be another superstar, so to be able to help him is great. So if he listens, he’ll be fine!” laughed Clarke.

Tipped as a potential European captain for the next Ryder Cup in the United States, Clarke said that getting the nod for the job would be another highlight of his career which has yielded over 20 international victories.

“If you’re asked, it’s a huge honour. If I am lucky enough to be asked, then that would be great. But in the meantime, you know, I’m just going to keep on playing and see what happens. As I’ve said all along, I’d love to do it but it’s not something you ask.”

The Dubai Open is promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi.

The Els Club Dubai is situated within the sprawling Dubai Sports City where the par-72 course combines links style golf with traditional ‘classical era’ design. Opened for play in 2008, the course stretches 7,538 yards and was named as ‘Best New International Course’ by prestigious US magazine, Links, and “Best New Facility of the Year” by Troon Golf.

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