Classy Gonzalo eases into halfway lead at Barclays Singapore Open

Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano blitzed the Tanjong course with a 10-under-par 61 to open up a three-shot lead in the US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open after the second round was completed on Saturday morning.

Fernandez-Castano, a four-time winner on the European Tour, played his remaining nine holes on the easier of the two courses at Sentosa Golf Club in 30 to lead Asia's richest national Open on 15-under-par 127

Italian Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari signed off with a 68 at the tougher Serapong course in the co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event to join James Morrison of England on 130.

Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines remained as the highest ranked Asian in fourth place after completing his second round on Friday. Play on Friday was disrupted for nearly three hours because of a thunderstorm.

American world number 11 Phil Mickelson, who will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year, was going strong at six under for the round at the Serapong before disaster struck on the closing par five 18th hole when two shots found water. He signed for a 67 after a double bogey seven and is 11 shots behind the leader.

After a spell out with injuries earlier this season, the 31-year-old Fernandez-Castano was delighted to charge into the lead and credited a new putting grip for his recent good form which included a second place in Spain last month.

"I was lucky because yesterday I didn't tee off before the thunderstorm. I took my time. I took it easy and started well with three birdies.  It was great and then I had a good start again this morning. To play well you need to hole putts and that is what I did," said the Spaniard.

"I found something with my swing. I have been injured for six months at the beginning of the year and it took me a while to find my swing and what I want to do with the ball. I finally did and of course the big thing was the putting.

"I changed my putting method at the Czech Open in mid August. Since then my putting has improved a lot. It's the claw grip. I am just imitating Sergio Garcia to see if I can win as many tournaments as he does."

He was happy to lead the stellar cast in Asia's richest national Open.

"There is no better place to be. There is a long way to go. The Serapong course is really challenging and demanding but anything can happen and I cannot think of a better place to be than 15 under," he said.

Molinari, who secured two wins last season to make his way into the Ryder Cup team for Europe, played his remaining eight holes in one under to move into contention for a first win of the year.

"It was quite good today. I hit the ball better than yesterday - I hit every fairway and every green, which is quite solid. I managed to birdie 12, which is good. Three behind is a good position going into the weekend," said the Italian, who will defend the Omega Mission Hills World Cup with brother Francesco later this month.

"It is great to be in contention. I have not been playing this well for a while and this week I have played alright and finally putted well. I hope my putting form keeps going for another two days.

"There is still a lot to play for. Two or three shots on this course is nothing really and I will give it a go."

Korea's Y.E. Yang settled for an even par 71 at the Serapong and will start round three seven shots off the lead.

The third round started at 11am with the leading group scheduled to go out at 1.10pm.