PTI 
  
Bangkok, Dec 16: Birthday boy Jeev Milkha Singh shot a six-under 66 to rocket up the leaderboard into tied third place after the second round of the USD 650,000 Volvo Masters of Asia golf tournament here on Friday.

The fine card saw Jeev, celebrating his 35th birthday, finish the round at six-under 138, two shots behind leader Thongchai Jaidee.

Jeev, who had a modest 72 in the first round, said he was sharper on the course and putted very well today.

"It is a nice birthday gift with a 66 today, so I will take that. I did not hit the ball too good but I putted great today. I am happy with the way I came back (from my opening 72)," said Jeev who has won on his last two starts in Japan.

"I was sharp on the golf course. I did not miss the greens on the wrong side today and when I did I made some good up and downs," said Jeev.

Thai star Thongchai took the halfway lead with a four-under-par 68.

Thongchai, winner of the event in 2003, overcame an early slip in his second round at Thai Country Club before roaring across the finish line with his seven-birdie round in the Asian Tour's season finale.

Compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant showed he was determined to sign the year off as Asia's number one on a winning note, carding a bogey-free 65 for second place, one behind Thongchai.

While Jeev made the big move up, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia, India's new star this season, shot a second successive two-under 70 and moved into ninth place.