Lascuña 5 off Indian in Taiwan Masters

TAIPEI—Antonio Lascuña fired a one-under-par 71 and stood five shots off two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan of India halfway through the $650,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Friday.

Lascuña, who finished tied for second here last year, shot three birdies against two bogeys for a 143 total at Taiwan Golf and Country Club’s Tamsui course.

The Filipino veteran lay third in a tie with China’s Liang Wenchong (73), Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera (72), Bangladesh veteran Siddikur Rahman (74) and local campaigner Pan Cheng-tsung (72).

Three-time tour winner Angelo Que, however, failed to make the cut at 150 after adding a 76 to a prosaic 79 on Wednesday for 155.

Khan battled gusty winds to grab the 36-hole lead after a for a 138 total.

The 24-year-old overcame a double bogey on No. 1 with six birdies against two bogeys to stay one shot clear of playing partner and overnight leader Danny Chia of Malaysia (72).

With swirling wind speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, Lascuña remained calm and composed to cap an encouraging round as he continues to keep chase with a maiden Asian Tour win.

“My putting was good and I drove the ball well,” the 44-year-old Lascuña said. “You have to be good off the tee to play well on this course. I thought my game was pretty steady given the tough conditions out there.

“The winds were blowing strong and the greens are grainy but this is the Tamsui course that I used to know.”  Asiantour.com