Rosales 2 strokes off in Tianjin Open

Gerald Rosales slowed down a bit with a 68 but moved up to third halfway through the $200,000 Tianjin TEDA Open golf championship at the par-71 Tianjin Warner International Golf Club in Tianjin, China Friday.

Rosales fired an eagle-aided 65 in the first round for a share of fourth place then kept the momentum to string together nines of 33-35 for a 36-hole aggregate of 133, two strokes behind Thai ace Thammanoon Srirot, who shot a 67 for a 131.

"Maganda ang palo at putting. Sana magtuloy-tuloy ito," said Rosales after shooting his best two rounds in a not-so-impressive season for the former Philippine Open champion.

Rosales actually birdied three of his first holes yesterday but fumbled with a bogey on No. 7 for that 33. He gained a stroke on No. 11, gave it back on No. 13, regained it again on the next only to be stalled by another bogey on the 16th. He, however, closed out with another birdie to preserve a round of 35 and a 68.

But Rosales must dish out a consistent game in the last two rounds with Srirot looking good at 131 after a 67 and a bunch of others within striking distance for the top purse in the event presented by Rolls-Royce.

Srirot, who holed the winning putt that sealed Asia’s victory over Japan in the inaugural Dynasty Cup last year, frolicked with a seven-under 71 Thursday then put on nines of 33-34 to stay at the helm of a talent-laden field.

Korean Chung Joon carded a 68 for a 132 while Charlie Wi, another Korean bet, sizzled with a 66 to catch Rosales in third place at 133.