Macao is great: Rio is better

Leading the 2012 Venetian Macao Open is not enough for Gaganjeet Bhullar of India. The 24-year-old has already set his sites on the 2016 Olympic Games.

"Qualifying for the 2016 Rio Games is my top priority. Everyone is pumped up and working hard to try to qualify for the Olympics," said Bhullar, who maintained his overnight advantage after the second round on Friday, shooting a three-under-par 68.

"I'll be fortunate enough to qualify for the Olympics and represent my country."

Bhullar comes from a family of athletes, so the Games mean a little more to him.

"My dad’s elder brother (Ajit Bhullar) has represented India in three Olympics. He was a high jumper, represented India in four Asian Games and won three gold medals in three different Asian Games," he said.

"It will be lovely if I can represent my country in 2016. My family has high hopes for me and it’ll be nice to represent India."

After shooting a superb 63 in the first round, Bhullar was a bit more subdued in his second round. He overcame an opening bogey with four birdies at the Macao Golf and Country Club.

Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand moved into contention with a bogey-free 66 to put him in second place along with compatriot Prom Meesawat.

Another Thai player, Thongchai Jaidee, was another shot back after a 68, alongside Filipino star Angelo Que, Bangladeshi Siddiqur Rahman, Kieran Pratt of Australia and Adilson da Silva from Brazil.

"Not as good as yesterday, but considering the conditions right now, it’s not a bad score," said Bhullar. "I could have done much better but there is a lot of golf left. Hit the ball good but had some bad luck. Had two or three lip-outs."

Bhullar has won once and finished second and ninth in his past five starts.

"It always feels good to play in the leader group week after week," said the three-time Asian Tour winner.

"It proves the standard of golf is improving. It'll be nice. I’m looking forward to playing for the weekend. I'll take the same strategy as the first two days. I’m just going to stick to my routine and my process and see what happens this weekend."

Jaidee played the morning session on Friday and didn't play as well as in the first round, when he produced a bogey-free 66.