Gleeson breaks away at Asian Tour's Macua Open

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MACAU, China -- Australian hotshot David Gleeson broke away from the chasing pack after firing his second consectuive 7-under 64 for the second-round lead at the Macau Open on Friday.

Gleeson, 30, nailed eight birdies against a lone bogey for a 14-under 128 total and a five-stroke advantage over the charging field at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

Indian rookie Anirban Lahiri and Australia's Adam Blyth shot matching 65s to land in a tie for second place alongside Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang, who carded a 68, and England's Yasin Ali, who improved with a 64.

Rhys Davies of Wales was among those in a tie for sixth after a 68 together with Thailand's Wisut Artjanawat, who carded a 69, in the $500,000 Asian Tour event.

But it was Taipei-based Gleeson who remained firmly at the top of the leaderboard eager to end his six-year title drought this week.

"I stuck to my game plan, although the wind picked up slightly today. A 14 under after two days is a good score. This is an interesting course with the hills and swirling breeze, so I will keep studying the course and hope to get the nightmare off the scorecard.

"I've come here to do a good job just like how I have been planning to do well in the remaining weeks on the Asian Tour.

"My goal was to play better earlier on in the season, but I didn't quite do it. I went back home and practiced quite a lot, and I returned with three top-10 finishes from four events a few months ago. That got me going, and I hope to gather momentum for a win this week," said Gleeson, who won the 2002 Volvo China Open.

Lahiri, 21, has found his footing on the Asian Tour this week after recording 65 today.

"I putted well for a change. I finished off solid with a birdie followed by an eagle at the 18th hole. I used a driver and a 2-iron on the last hole. I was 240 yards from the pin before a 12-foot putt for an eagle.

"In the first five or six events this season, I was still trying to come to terms with the environment, but now I feel much more at home on the Asian Tour, and my game is slowly falling into place," said the Bangalore-based golfer, who is playing in his ninth event in Macau.

Birthday boy Blyth, who turned 27 today, remained in contention this week after a 65 alongside England's Ali, who ended his round with a strong 64.

"It all fell into place today with solid driving and steady putting. It's nice to be back in the mix again, and I hope to keep it going over the weekend," Ali said.

After a 72 in the opening round, China's Zhang Lian-wei bounced back with a 67 and was in a tie for 39th place.

A total of 66 players made the weekend rounds.