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Day 1

September 4th 2009, Crans Montana, Switzerland: Filipino Angelo Que brilliantly putted his way into contention at the Omega European Masters on Friday after nearly being forced out of the tournament.

The double Asian Tour winner fired a superb six-under-par 65 at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, thanks to eight birdies in a round which he took only 24 putts, to lie two shots behind clubhouse leader, South African Thomas Aiken in the €2 million (US$2.8 million) event co-sanctioned for the first time by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

“I hit it better today but the putting is the story. I made 23 putts yesterday and 24 today. I’m seeing the lines for two rounds straight. I didn’t even ask my caddie for help. I just see the lines and speed,” said Que.

He nearly didn’t make it for the trip to the Swiss Alps after encountering visa problems back home. But with the help of one of his sponsors, which happened to be a Swiss company, Que got his travel documents in seven days rather than 12 before heading out to Malaysia last week where he qualified for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup with partner Mars Pucay.

“I almost didn’t get here. We were thinking that if I didn’t get a visa we wouldn’t be able to play which would have been a bad thing. I was lucky and here I am playing well. I’m happy,” he said.

Que was joined on the leaderboard by Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, who rediscovered his best form with a 67. The Thai, nicknamed ‘King Kong’ for his big-hitting game, hammered in seven birdies against three dropped shots to lie three off the lead. Compatriot Thongchai Jaidee battled to an even par 71 to lie a further stroke back.

Since setting a new world record of 32-under-par en route to victory in the SAIL Open in India earlier this year, Chapchai has been short of form but it all clicked with a superb second round.

“My irons and putter have not worked for two or three weeks but it all came back. My driver also worked nicely unlike the last few months where it has been out of control. If everything is perfect, I know can score,” said Chapchai, who is a three-time winner in Asia.

“It’s good to see the Asian names up on the leaderboard as it’s a big tournament for us. It shows the standard of the Asian players and that we can beat the star players.”

Thongchai, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, lamented a poor putting day where he took 34 putts. “I putted poorly. I hit 16 greens again but took 34 putts. I just didn’t take advantage of the conditions in the morning. I couldn’t see the lines and I was tentative.”

Indian star Jeev Milkha Singh fought back from an early quadruple bogey to stay in touch with the leaders after 69. The reigning Asian Tour number one stumbled to a costly eight at his third hole, the par four 12th but recovered superbly with four birdies and an eagle.

“It was a good comeback. I had a bad break on 12. I hit a bad drive and in chipping out, the ball hit the root of a tree and went out of bounds,” said Singh. “I just told myself to hang in there as there are a lot of birdie holes and I came back pretty good.”

Singh is determined to put on a good showing to boost his chances of earning one of the two wildcards for the International Team in the Presidents Cup. Captain Greg Norman will name his choices next Tuesday.