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SHANGHAI: Taiwan's Lin Weng-Tang and India's Jyoti Randhawa led a strong Asian charge at the WGC-HSBC Champions on Thursday, playing impressive golf to stay in touch with the leaders.
Lin, who qualified for the elite World Golf Championship event by winning last year's Hong Kong Open, shot a 67 to be tied for fifth, alongside world number one Tiger Woods, Paul Casey and Anthony Kim.
Randhawa was equally competitive with his 68 at the Sheshan Golf Club course for a tie of ninth.
Nick Watney leads the seven-million-dollar event after a red-hot eight-under-par 64, ahead of fellow American Sean Moore, Germany's Martin Kaymer and Northern Ireland's Shane Lowry on 66.
"This is the third World Golf Championship event I've played and I have been learning a lot," said Lin, a four-time winner on the Asian Tour.
"I've been trying to keep myself relaxed. Every stroke I played was satisfactory, that's why I'm at five-under and I'm happy."
Randhawa was also pleased to be among the leaders in such a strong field.
"I'm really happy. I got my swing back into the groove after a long time and it felt good. I putted well, just coming in I wished I made a few more putts," he said.
"I've played this course before and it helps with the local knowledge."
While they excelled, it was a disappointing day for Asia's first Major winner, Yang Youn-Eun, who is trailing Watney by eight strokes after a par round of 72.
The 37-year-old Korean won here in 2006, memorably holding off Woods, and went on to claim the US PGA Championship this year.
And it was even worse for Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng with nothing going right in his nine-over-par 81, which included two double bogeys. It leaves him last in the 78-man field.
There was better news for some of Asia's other challengers with Thai pair Thongchai Jaidee and Chapchai Nirat, along with Singapore's Lam Chih-Bing, in the clubhouse with 71s.
"I enjoyed playing with Tiger," said Thongchai, who was grouped with Woods.
"I played good but missed a few greens. I think I'll be okay on Friday and I'll try to get better."
Elsewhere, precocious Japanese superstar Ryo Ishikawa hit a 72 while India's Jeev Milkha Singh - winner of 18 tournaments around the globe - was a shot further back.
The Chinese challenge was led by Liang Wenchong and veteran Zhang Liangwei, who both laboured to 73. - AFP/de
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