Randhawa at four off lead keeps Asian hopes alive in Shanghai

Randhawa trails joint leaders Tiger Woods and Nick Watney with Taiwan's Lin Wen-Tang a shot behind him, alongside teenage Japanese superstar Ryo Ishikawa.

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, who played with Woods, remains in the hunt after a 69 left him six shots off the pace.

Other Asians didn't fare as well, with Korea's Major winner Yang Yong-Eun, the 2006 champion, nine behind the leaders, while India's Jeev Milkha Singh fired a 72 to go with his opening 73 and leave him 11 shots adrift.

Randhawa though is in with a chance and said that with the greens hard and the pin placements tough, whoever was running hot with the putter would win.

“I'm well focused and whenever I got the chance I took advantage of that and that was a good point today,” he said.

“Getting into a good position in two days, it does help you focus better.”

Asked what he needed to do over the weekend to stay in touch with Woods, he said improving his short game was key.

“I need to putt better than this,” he said.

“The greens are tricky but guys are holing putts. It's a putting contest now. Whoever makes a lot of putts is going to win because the greens are very tricky.”

At one point Lin led the tournament at 10-under-par, picking up five shots in his opening nine holes, but a bogey on the 10th and a double bogey at the next saw him drop down the leaderboard.

The Taiwan star, who defends his Hong Kong Open title next week, ended at five-under for the tournament and said he made the mistake of thinking too far ahead.

“Yeah, because I knew there was only me on 10-under, so I said to my caddie, maybe we have a chance but my caddie told me you're too fast, too quick,” he said.

“Then I found trouble.”

Thongchai said the trick over the weekend was to be patient.

“Game plan is very important here,” he said.

“I'm just going to try the same thing, be patient. I'm trying my best.”

Among other Asian Tour players here, Thailand's Prayed Marksaeng improved on his dismal opening round 81 with a 69 but remains tied for 70th.

Countryman Chapchai Nirat and Singapore's Lam Chih-Bing are both one over for the tournament, while Chinese number one Liang Wenchong struggled to a second consecutive 73 to be a shot further back.

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