SINGAPORE - The two highest ranked players in the SMBC Singapore Open field kept themselves in contention of the US$1 million (S$1.44 million) tournament after the delayed second round was completed on Saturday morning.
World No. 1 Jordan Spieth carded a one-under 70 for a 137 total while world No. 26 An Byeong Hun managed a 68 and is on 135 at the Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong Course.
Both men trail leader Song Young Han of South Korea, who finished his round on Friday and leads on nine under 133 at the event co-sanctioned by the Asian and Japanese tours.
South African Keith Horne (68) is in second place and a stroke off the lead on 134. He, Song and Japan's Shintaro Kobayashi (135) will tee off at 3.10pm.
Said Spieth, who bogeyed his final hole to drop to five-under: "The bogey did hurt on the last. I made all my putts inside six feet yesterday but missed five or six today.
"I've just gotta get comfortable on the shorter length putts."
The American is paired with compatriot Paul Peterson (138) and Thailand's Praya Marksaeng (137) and is scheduled to begin his third round at 2.50pm.
Inclement weather has caused several delays during the opening two rounds and more late afternoon showers are predicted on Saturday, possibly leading to more uncompleted rounds by the end of play.
Noted Speith: "These kind of delays have happened before, in professional and college golf, you have to get used to it.
"Gotta be prepared to play a lot of golf. Need to post a good one this afternoon. The course is gettable."
Patience was key for the weekend, noted An, the 2015 European Tour Rookie of the Year, who tees off at 3pm alongside Miguel Tabuena (136) and Hideto Tanihara (135).
"I could have done better. I had a bad start yesterday and was a little shaky. I missed several eagle and birdie opportunities but that's what it is. I got to take it. There are still two more rounds to go.
"I just got to be patient as this is not an easy golf course. You got to be accurate with your irons and the wind gust can be pretty tricky as well."
Leading the local charge was Singapore's Quincy Quek, who carded a second round 71 and is joint-15th at three-under 139. He tees off at 1.50pm.
Among the casualties who failed the make the weekend cut of one-over 143 are Singapore No. 1 Mardan Mamat (145), 2001 champion Tharwon Wiratchant (147), Welsh Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson (149) and 2008 champion Jeev Milkha Singh (152).
