B'day boy Jeev leapfrogs to tied 3rd in Volvo Masters

Bangkok, Dec 15 (UNI) Birthday boy Jeev Milkha Singh's sizzling six-under 66 sent him catapulting to tied third, while short-game wizard SSP Chowrasia soared to tied ninth with his second successive round of 70 at the halfway stage of the 650,000 dollar Volvo Masters of Asia here today.

Thai stalwart Thongchai Jaidee's second successive round of 68 saw him perch on top at eight-under 136, one shot ahead of compatrioti Thaworn Wiratchant, who returned a scintillating card of 65 today. Jeev shares the third spot with Prom Meesawat (70) at six-under 138.

Eyeing his third win in a Volvo sponsored tournament this year, Jeev, who turned 35 today, started his round spectacularly with back-to-back birdies on a sun-kissed Thai Country Club.

The Indian, whose four victories worldwide this season have seen him shoot up to number 45 in the world rankings, went on to card five more birdies against two bogeys.

''It was a nice birthday gift with a 66 today, so I will take that. I did not hit the ball too good but I putted great today,'' said the winner of both the Volvo China Open and the Volvo Masters in Europe.

''I am happy with the way I came back today (after an opening 72). I was sharp on the golf course. I did not miss the greens on the wrong side today and when I did I made some good up and downs.'' Jeev could have gone even lower if not for a couple of dropped shots on the back nine.

''I had a great start with birdies on the first and second holes.

After that I was seven under but two bogeys on the back were the only sour thing,'' he said.

''I made a bogey on 13, I had a bad lie just off the green and had no shot. I got on the green and two putted from 15 feet. On 15, I hit a bad drive into the bunker and was up against the lip. I was short of the green with my sand wedge approach and missed a 10 foot par putt. I had a long birdie putt on number 10, I holed it from just off the fringe. Earlier I made a long one on number eight, 25 foot,'' he recalled.

Jeev also made it clear that he would be making a big push for victory to claim a unique hat-trick of Volvo titles.

''The scoring was quite good today, There is a lot of golf left but I have two more days to try. The beauty of this tournament is that there is no cut so that is the best part,'' he said.

''I will just go out there and try my best. It is not over until the last putt is holed out. I have got two days left so I will give it a go and see what happens. This round has got me in the mood to give it my best effort,' he said.

It was a special moment for the Indian as, after his round, a group of caddies at Thai Country Club sang 'Happy Birthday' as he blew out the candles on a cake gifted to him by everybody involved in the season finale.

Among his compatriot, SSP ''Chipputtsia'', called so for a magical short game, mixed four birdies and two bogeys in his second round to take his two-day tally to four-under 140 for the tied ninth place.

Defending champion Shiv Kapur and in-form Jyoti Randhawa again came up with identical rounds -- three-under 69 -- to share the 15th spot at three-under 141.

Unlucky Randhawa was five-under as he approached the pentultimate hole, only to drop a shot in each of the holes to sign off on a disappointing note.

Shiv, on the other hand, sunk a birdie quartet in his front nine but dropped a shot on his way back to settle for a care of 69.

Among others, Amandeep Johl (147) went five-over 77 and Gaurav Ghei (149) stuttered to three-over 76, while Rahil Gangjee (151) managed an even-par card after his horrendous opening round of 79.

Leading second rouns scores: 136: Thongchai Jaidee (68-68) 137: Thaworn Wiratchant (72-65) 138: Prom Meesawat (68-70), Jeev Milkha Singh (72-66) 139: Prayad Marksaeng (67-72), Lee Sung (69-70), Chawalit Plaphol (69-70) Edward Loar (71-68) 140: Anthony Kang (76-64), Charlie Wi (71-69), Chapchai NIrat (69-71), Unho Park (70-70), S S P Chowrasia (70-70), Frankie Minoza (76-64) 141: Brad Kennedy (71-70), Shiv Kapur (72-69), Jyoti Randhawa (72-69), Andrew Buckle (71-70), Yasin Ali (72-69), Chinarat Phadungsil (71-70), Lin Keng-chi (68-73), Iain Steel (69-72), Jason Knutzon (71-70), David Brandson (76-65) 142: Chris Rodgers (69-73), Wang Ter-chang (69-73) 143: Simon Yates (72-71), Terry Pilkadaris (68-75), Angelo Que (72-71), Ted Oh (70-73), Gary Rusnak (71-72) 144: Liang Wen-chong (74-70),Adam Blyth (70-74), Lu Wen-teh (72-72), Choo Tze-huang (73-71), Adam Groom (69-75), Lu Wei-chih (69-75) UNI XC AY DH HS1542