Lascuña closes in with 67

Tony Lascuña sustained his fiery form, shooting a bogey-free five-under par 67 to move within two strokes off Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing halfway through the Volvo Masters of Asia at the Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.

Lascuña, who birdied the last three holes to fire a two-under 70 Thursday, added three more birdies in the first 12 holes then wound up with back-to-back birdies for a 34-33 card and a 36-hole aggregate of seven-under 137.

Lam proved more solid on a fine day, sizzling with a bogey-less 66 he spiked with five birdies at the front to wrest the lead with a 135.

Aussie Marcus Both also had 67 for second at 136 while Chapchai Nirat of Thailand shot a 66 and Michael Brown of Australia turned in a 67 to tie Lascuña in third.

But while Lascuña continued his surge, the other RP bets had so-so round with Juvic Pagunsan carding a second 72 for a 144; Mars Pucay shooting a 71 for a 146; Angelo Que fumbling with a 74 for a 146; and Artemio Murakami making a 73 for a 147.

Amateur Ferdie Aunzo had four birdies in the third but made seven bogeys for a second straight 75 and a 150.