Song hits the right note in Singapore, Spieth stalled

Y.E. Yang of South Korea tees off on the first hole during the first round of the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa’s Serapong golf course in Singapore, 28 January, 2016.

Reuters: South Korean Song Young-han soared to the Singapore Open lead after a sparkling eight-under-par 63 on Friday as world number one Jordan Spieth had his second round charge halted by more inclement weather.

The 22-year-old American, the headline act of the Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour’s season opening event, was level par after six holes of his round on Friday when rain then lightning warnings forced the players from the Sentosa Golf Course.

The double major winner’s four-under 24 hole total left him tied sixth, five behind the impressive Song (133).

Spieth will resume on Friday with a testing birdie putt after being caught out by the changing weather on the seventh.

South Korean Song had no such problems as he enjoyed a birdie bonanza on a cooler and calmer morning in the Southeast Asian city-state.

The 24-year-old picked up seven birdies and an eagle in his round to put him two clear of Japan’s Shintaro Kobayashi (69) and South Korean world number 26 An Byeong-hun, who was three-under through seven holes of his second round when play stopped.

Song credited his putting for his impressive round as he put himself in pole position to claim a first major title of his career.

Seventy eight players will resume their second rounds at 07:30 a.m. (1130 GMT) on Saturday.

Kobayashi will be grateful for the extended rest after starting early on Friday to complete six holes of his first round before then completing his second.

The 29-year-old picked up one shot to sign for an opening five-under 66 and had less than an hour before he was back on the tee for his second round.