Day Two of the US$1.5 million Asian Tour Ho Tram Open teed off yesterday morning into brisk winds which saw scores start to balloon as the day wore on. — Photo tiepthigiadinh.vn

BA RIA-VUNG TAU (VNS)— Day Two of the US$1.5 million Asian Tour Ho Tram Open teed off yesterday morning into brisk winds which saw scores start to balloon as the day wore on.

At 2pm, the officials had to suspend play until it settled down a bit at 4pm. Players who had hoped to make a move saw their opportunities blown away.

The course itself is in incredible shape and never looked better. Greens were rolling around 11.5 and players could not complain about that as there wasn't a single blade of grass out of place. Unfortunately, fast greens and heavy wind makes for a lethal combination and the players were hard pressed to just maintain par.

While Day One highlights included a Hole in One by Taewoo Kim on the 137-yard seventh hole, the star of Day Two was the wind.

Yet not everyone was befuddled.

Chinese Taipei Lin Wen-tang put up a nice total of 132 (65-67) from Charlie Wi who was the clubhouse leader after the first round after posting a blazing 62 (9-under par).

Unfortunately, Wi had his problems on Day Two and was sitting at 4-under par due to a round shortened by darkness.

The surprise of Day One was when Michael Tran, a Vietnamese professional who plays on the Asian Tour, finished the first round at 5-under par, much to the delight of the locals who came out to see the event. Despite his best efforts, Tran could only finish at even par after the second round due to the wind.

"Darren and Jeev are great players and I wanted to do as good as them but today I played better so I'm very happy. I three-putted the first hole (bogey) but hit it close on hole two, four, and six. Those were very good birdies because it was howling," said Tran.

Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke had some major problems out there and despite a respectable first round 73, got blown all over the place in the second round limped in to a 9-over par, missing the projected cut of 1-over par.

Tran's other playing partner, Jeev Milka Sinh fared slightly better with a two round total of 143 (70-73) just above the projected cut line.

Tournament favourite, Sergio Garcia, finished the first round with a 5-under par. — VNS