Justin Rose played the front nine of the Tarjong course ‘blind’ to get a good sight of the lead on day two of the Barclays Singapore Open.

Rose recorded a six under par 65 to also boost hopes of cementing his place in the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
 Rose, 31 is competing in Singapore for only a second time in his career after finishing top-15 two years ago in the former Britain stronghold.

But it’s not the ever-changing Singapore skyline Rose has come to admire.

Rose is currently lying 57th in the Race to Dubai and needs to be among the top-60 at the end of this month to be assured of qualifying for Dubai.

He posted a second round 65 on the ‘easier’ Tarjong course where he had never played the outward nine, and it was over the front nine where Rose made his score in posting four birdies in succession from the sixth hole for an eventual eight under par tally.

“It feels like everyone has been shooting 65 on the Tanjong but you still have to go and do it,” he said.

“If you don’t go low you feel as though you are going backwards.

“I only played nine holes of the Tanjong in practice and have never played the front nine before so to four under on that nine made me very happy.

“I haven’t played in Singapore for two years and while I needed to make up my numbers I am also here to cement my place in Dubai next month.

“But then I should be under no pressure as I am also playing Hong Kong the week before Dubai, so I should be fine.”

Chertsey’s James Morrison continues to lead the event posting a second round 68 to move to 12-under par.

However a three hour storm delay meant 69 players still had to complete their second rounds.