Taimur Hussain of Pakistan, seeking his second win on the Davidoff Tour, holed a series of tricky putts to shoot a five-under-par 67 and take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Lexus International yesterday. Hussain, one of the longest hitters on the Tour, has a two-round total of nine-under 135 and leads from overnight leader Hendrik Buhrmann (70) and Singapore's Mardan Mamat (69). Davidoff Tour Order of Merit leader Kyi Hla Han of Burma and his compatriot Zaw Moe, a regular on the Japan Tour, are in equal fourth on seven-under 137. Han shrugged off a nightmare double bogey start to shoot a 68 and Moe recorded a 67. The powerfully built Hussain, winner of the 1998 Burma Open, shot five birdies in an accomplished round. 'I putted really well today - long putts and the short ones were good,' said Hussain, a former top amateur who has been regarded as a sleeping giant of Asian golf since turning professional in 1995. 'I have played steady golf this season and finished in the top five at the Tianjin TEDA Open and China Open. 'I am playing a lot in Japan and am going to the second stage of their qualifying school next week. I speak a bit of Japanese and regard it as my second home.' Mamat, the first Singaporean to qualify for the British Open in 1997, is showing signs that he is coming out of his two-year slump. He had birdies at the seventh, ninth and 10th holes before a concentration lapse cost him shots at the 13th and 14th. He regained his composure and had back-to-back birdies at the 16th and 17th holes. 'I am putting well on these greens,' said Mamat. 'I did not do well on the greens at the Asian Nations Cup last week but have found my touch here.' Buhrmann, using a favourite old putter which helped him to an opening 66, started shakily but stormed home with four birdies in the last six holes to keep well in the hunt. Defending champion Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand carded a four-under 68 and lies in joint sixth place on six-under 138 with European Tour star Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Thammanoon Sriroj of Thailand, American John Kernohan and Scott Laycock of Australia. Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand, one of the most promising players on the Asian PGA, holed in one at the 150-yard 11th hole (his second of the day) with an eight iron and won his weight in Johnnie Walker whisky. He shot 69. Singh holed in one at the third on Thursday but neither of the aces came at the par-three hole where a luxury Lexus car is on offer. Hong Kong-based Han overcame an unlucky double bogey seven at his first hole (the 10th) to shoot seven birdies. 'I was plugged in the greenside bunker at the first and my shot hit some wooden sleepers and bounced into the water. I had to drop the ball in the bunker, came out to 40 feet and holed the putt,' said Han, the winner of the China Open. 'In the past I would have ballooned to 80 after that but I am more patient this year and I composed myself and went birdie, birdie.'
