Singapore, October 29 - The unsung Chan Yih-shin of Chinese Taipei knows how to keep his  locally-based ‘boss’ happy and that is to play well at the  star-studded US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open.

Chan qualified and finished 32nd in last year’s tournament and is on track to better that performance this week after an eye-catching opening four-under-par 67 at Sentosa Golf Club.

“My sponsor Eason Chen of MyGolf lives in Singapore and he is here this week, so I have to perform well! I have to keep the boss happy. I’m staying with him and he looks after me really well,” said Chan, who qualified for this year’s tournament with a 65 over the Tanjong Course on Monday.

The 32-year-old Chan carried that form into his first round over the Serapong Course to lie one shot behind leader Ian Poulter of England after the morning session.

“Everything was great today, from my putting to my swing. It worked out really well out there. When I had a chance to attack the pins, I attacked. And my putting was really good and my tee shots put me in good positions,” he said.

Chan said that he was surprised to match the score of Major champion Ernie Els and beat world number two Phil Mickelson by two shots.

“It’s a surreal feeling to be leading the big names right now but there are three more days to go and the ball is round. I’ll just keep trying to do my best,” he said.

 Chan missed six straight cuts on the Asian Tour during the first half of the season but bounced back with a tied fifth at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and was equal 18th at last week’s Iskandar Johor Open.

“There is no secret formula in the game. I missed many cuts in the first half of the year but kept working hard at my game and it’s turned around the past few months,” said Chan, who is 72nd on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and needs a good finish this week to keep his card.