Chawalit Plaphol expects Randhawa or any Asian to win Shanghai tit

Shanghai, Nov 9 (UNI) Jyoti Randhawa grabbing the halfway lead at the HSBC Champions ahead of the likes of Tiger Woods is not merely a fluke and smooth-swinging Thai golfer Chawalit Plaphol says he won't be surprised if any Asian player pulls off a Shanghai surprise.

Currently three shots behind Randhawa after returning a second round of two-under 70 to aggregate seven-under 137 in the five million dollar event, Plaphol believes Asia could serve up another triumph to emulate Jeev Milkha Singh's outstanding victory at the Volvo Masters in Spain two weeks ago.

''There are so many good players out here and it's great to see Jyoti leading the Asian challenge after two good rounds. It's good for Asian golf as this is such a big event. All of us want to play well this week and show what we can do,'' he said.

Plaphol himself was also pleased to be in the reckoning in Asia's richest event despite struggling with his own game.

''It feels really good to be on the leaderboard. I was struggling with the driver today, hitting it left and right. My irons were also pretty average but I chipped and putted well which saved me. In total I had 13 one-putts which was great,'' he said.

While Randhawa continues his golden run in the tournament, Plaphol is tied for fifth, followed a stroke behind by the Indo-Korean duo of Shiv Kapur-Yang Yong-eun at tied eigth.

Further a shot behind, at tied 10th, is Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, along with the likes of Colin Montgomerie.

UNI XC AY PDS ND1606