Singh was placed at a comfortable five-under 137 going into the penultiamte round. Leading the field, at nine under 134, was Korean pro, Choi-Jyong-Ju.

The other Indians in the fray had little to show for their efforts, with Indian Open champion Arjun Atwal placed a low joint 50th after carding a two-day score of two over 144.

Vijay Kumar, leader of the order of merit at the Wills sport golf tour, playing his first tournament on foreign soil, failed to make the cut after playing to seven-over 149 over two days.

SSP Chowrasia, the Calcutta pro who finished first runner-up at the Indian Open, could not make it to Japan as he did not have a passport.