Jeev takes sole lead in Japan

Jeev Milkha Singh continues to fly high after his triumph at the Volvo Masters. The seasoned Indian golfer grabbed sole lead with a scintillating seven-under 65 after the second round in the Asahiryokuken Yomiuri Asoiizuka Memorial Open in Fukuoka, Japan, on Friday.

After rounds of 66 and 65, Jeev sits pretty at the top with 13-under 131, a one-shot lead over Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who carded a similar score in the second round.

Jeev blasted two eagles, five birdies against two bogeys, in his impressive outing at the 100,000,000 yen event.

Playing his back nine first, Jeev began with a bang, firing an eagle. Paring the next three holes was akin to the lull before the storm as the Indian reeled off four birdies on the trot and then pared the 18th hole to take the turn at six-under.

It was, however, not the same story as he resumed his journey; he dropped bogeys on the fourth and ninth, but picked up a shot on the third. Another eagle on the eighth ensured he finished the day on a high.

Last week, Jeev, the current Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader, stunned Europe's top guns in Spain with a one-stroke victory at the Volvo Masters of Europe in Valderamma, which was his second triumph of the season.

He flew straight back to the Far East and has shown no signs of jetlag with an accomplished opening round in what is his 33rd tournament of the season.