Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh kept his goal of winning a maiden Japanese Tour title in focus with his second successive card of two-under 70 to tie for the 17th position along with country-mate Jyoti Randhawa at the mid-way tally of four-under 140 at the 120 million Yen ABC Championship 2004, being played at the par-72, ABC Course Club at Hyohgo.
Randhawa, like Jeev, had back-to-back rounds of 70 against his name.
T Kamiyama fired a superb round of 66 and aided by his opening round 68, leapt to a one-stroke lead at ten-under 134.
Jeev Milkha Singh in many ways a trend setter in Indian golf, has witnessed a welcome return to form in year 2004, after two indifferent years on various Tours including the Nationwide circuit.
The ABC Championship has seen the 32-year-old play consistent if not outstanding golf but, more importantly, Jeev has given himself a fine launching pad to go for the kill in the deciding rounds.
The Hero Honda-sponsored golfer, a tenth tee starter started his Friday round with a series of pars before birdying the final hole of his outward journey.
Jeev followed this up with a birdie on his very next hole, the first of his return journey. Thereafter, another sea of pars rewarded him with his card of 70.
Jyoti, also a tenth tee starter had a more eventful round than his country-fellow.
The former Asian PGA Tour Order of Merit winner, also 32-years of age, started his round with a birdie and went on string together three more on the 15th 18th and sixth. He erred only twice to bogey the 17th and fourth to finish with a 70.
Kamiyama played some hot golf with his round peppered with as many as seven birdies (tenth, 14th, 15th, 18th, fourth, sixth and eighth) and a lone bogey on the 12th.
Scores (after 36 holes): 134 T Kamiyama(68, 66); 135 H Sasaki(66, 69); 136 T Suzuki(71, 65), T Teshima(68, 68), M Inoue(69, 67); 137 T Taniguchi(68, 69), S Nonaka(71, 66); 138 P Marksaeng(68, 70), T Srirot(70, 68), C Pena(71, 67).
