Fiji’s Singh, ex-caddie leading

Americans Toms, Mickelson seven back at World Cup

? Dinesh Chand used to caddie for Vijay Singh, and now they’re trying to win a world championship together.

Chand and the 2000 Masters champion shot a 10-under-par 62 Friday to give Fiji the lead at the World Cup. Singh and Chand are 19-under through two rounds of the two-man event.

Chand, who plays on the Japanese Tour, made birdie putts of 8, 10 and 5 feet on the final three holes to give Fiji a one-shot lead over first-round leader Canada and defending champion South Africa.

Canada’s team of Mike Weir and Ian Leggatt shot 67 on Friday, while South Africans Rory Sabbatini and Tim Clark shot 64 in the alternating shot format. The teams return to best-ball play today.

The top-seeded American team of Phil Mickelson and David Toms managed only an even-par 36 on the front side and avoided sliding farther down on the standings by making five birdies on the back nine. They still trailed Fiji by seven shots.

“We’re a good ways back, but we’re not an uncatchable ways back,” said Mickelson, who continues to struggle with the Bermuda greens. “Tomorrow will be a big day for us. We need to shoot 13, 14-under-par and we’ll be able to make up some good ground.”

Singh and Chand had 11 birdies and one bogey. Singh, the No. 7 ranked player in the world, said his lesser-known partner carried the day.

“I think his golf game is a lot better than people think it is,” Singh said. “I think he’s going to be a good player in the future.”

Chand’s play this week indicates he’s well on his way. He certainly isn’t lacking in confidence.

“I try to play better than Vijay every time I play with him, which I have for the last two days,” he said. “I’m a good putter.”