Australian Dimi Papadatos has enjoyed one of the best days of his European Tour career at the Singapore Open, thrusting himself into the top-five with a spectacular seven-under round of 65.
Sydney's world No.498, who's not finished in the top-25 in any of his previous 18 events stretching back to May last year, recorded seven birdies in a bogey-free second round at Laguna National on Friday.
Though play had to be suspended in fading light after an earlier delay due to a flooded course, Papadatos was well placed for the weekend's action, sitting at nine under, just two off the lead held jointly by Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin and Chinese amateur Ding Wenyi.
The 31-year-old Papadatos, who's looking for his best European Tour performance since he finished third at the Perth International a decade ago, is among a group of eight players tied for fifth, one behind Germany's Marcel Schneider and England's Andy Sullivan.
McKibbin added a 69 to his opening 64 but 18-year-old Ding, who won the US Junior Amateur title last year, still had four to play when the hooter sounded and will return early on Saturday hoping to add to the two eagles and two birdies already made in his second round.
McKibbin, who's from the same club as world No.1 Rory McIlroy, birdied four of his first eight holes, but dropped shots on the 11th and 13th and was on the 18th when play was delayed for an hour.
"It was pretty solid," the 20-year-old said. "I played very nicely most of the day, especially the front nine. A little bit colder on the back, but overall a pretty good day."
Among the rest of the Australian contingent, Queenslander Anthony Quayle was six under for the tournament with one to play while 21-year-old Louis Dobbelaar, the 2021 Australian Amateur winner, was four under after a 69.
With PA
