By Matt Smith
There was drama all across the leaderboard at the Asian Tour International Series Singapore as Gavin Green fired another stunning round, while pre-tournament favourite Patrick Reed bounced back on the Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club.

Malaysian star Green continued to show he is on the comeback trail after posting his second-successive bogey-free seven-under 65 to take the clubhouse lead on 14-under at the inaugural $1.5 million International Series Singapore.

He leads by three from another of the region’s finest young players — LIV Golf star Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand — who shot a 66. India’s Veer Ahlawat and Yoseop Seo of South Korea are one stroke further back on 10-under, while on England’s Steve Lewton holed his approach shot for an eagle on the par-five 18th to return a 68 and sit fifth.

Gavin Green. Asian Tour

Green, the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, has struggled with his game over the past few seasons but appears to be back on track after two brilliant days.

“Obviously [ball] striking has to be pretty good on this golf course, you have to keep it in play, you can’t miss too many shots,” said the 28 year old, on another day of searing heat and humidity. “You have to place your approach shots on certain parts of the green because they are so slopey. And even when you are on the green it’s a tough two putt. My caddie and I have a good game plan. We have worked hard, really hard, over last few weeks. It’s a great feeling being back in contention again. I am not thinking about that past, I am not looking at leaderboards, I am just doing my thing.”

The 2018 Masters champion and LIV Golf superstar Reed bounced back from his opening 73 with a 68 to climb to three-under.

“I just put the ball in position on a lot of holes, especially early on but I didn’t make any putts – just burned the edges and when you are doing that around here it is hard to shoot low,” said the American. “I definitely need to shoot a really low one tomorrow. I feel I’m doing what I’m supposed to from tee to green, but I need to capitalise on a couple of par fives and holes like eight and nine here. And I need the ball to go in with putts.

“I feel like I’m hitting a lot of good putts, my speed was decent today, and yesterday it was actually great, but it is one of those days that instead of the ball going in, it is lipping out and burning edges. If I can get the putter going early on, and hopefully get the momentum going then there is no reason I can’t shoot a mid to low 60s round and have a chance.”

Overnight leader Scott Vincent — another favourite on the LIV circuit — had a torrid time and shot a 73 to slip back to a share of eighth spot on seven-under.

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