Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin moved into the lead of the BMW Asian Open at Ta Shee in Taiwan today with a second-round six under par 66.
It gave the 34-year-old a halfway total of 138 and a one shot lead from Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez who posted a 69.
Scoring improved considerably compared to the opening day as the strong winds eased. Vijay Singh, like a trio of players in third, was able to take advantage of the improved conditions with a 69, two shots adrift on four under.
The Fijian is joined by another Swede, Carl Pettersson, and Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal, who carded rounds of 68 and 70, respectively.
Sandelin's round could have been even better as he came within inches of an albatross on the par-five sixth and a hole-in-one on the 18th that would have won him a car from the tournament sponsors.
"It feels great to be leading because this is the first tournament for next year's Order of Merit. I've always been confident because I know when I play well I can beat anyone.
The Asian Open is a co-sanctioned event between the European Tour and Asian Tour and all prize money counts toward the Order of Merit standings.