Mukesh Kumar leads in
Royal Challenge golf
Favourite Mukesh Kumar was back in familiar territory at the top of the leader board after he carded a brilliant six-under 64 to take a one stroke lead, with a total of 130 at the halfway stage of the Royal Challenge Grand Prix Golf at Tollygune Club course in Kolkata on Wednesday.
"I played well and my strong point today was my putting. I made quite a few long putts, which helped me to maintain my score," said a confident Mukesh.
Fifty-five professionals made the cut, which was applied at eight-over-par, 148. However, all the leading golfers made the cut and would contest for the title over the next two days.
Scoring had been tight so far this week as numerous players were bunched together at the top of the scoreboard after 36-holes.
Holder Rafiq Ali further strengthened his title defence with a four-under 66, taking his total to nine-under 131 for the tournament.
"I plan to maintain my rhythm over the next two days and I will definitely try to win again to retain the title," said Rafiq, who made six birdies and two bogeys in 18 holes today.
Dropping two strokes early in the round on the fifth where he duffed his pitch shot and as the result of a three-putt on the sixth, Rafiq fought back with birdies on the seventh, eighth, tenth, 11th, 13th and 18th holes.
Reflecting on his round, he added, "I am in good form as I hit the ball close all day."
A further stroke behind, Amritinder Singh was placed third after he carded a 65, to take his overall total to eight-under 132.
Local golfer Uttam Singh Mundy and Meerut's Digvijay Singh were tied at seven-under-par at the halfway stage.
Digvijay, who carded a 65 to improve his standing after a first round 68, was six-under walking down the last but a bogey on the par-three 18th marred his score.
Meanwhile, overnight leader Uttam Singh Mundy had an unsatisfactory 69, consisting of three birdies and two bogies.
Five strokes short of the lead, Shiv Prakash and Rahul Ganapathy were tied at five-under 135. A short and precise hitter, Shiv carded rounds of 69 and a four-under 66 today to slowly improve his standing, while Rahul followed his first round 67 with a 68 today.
Two-time Indian Open champion, Ali Sher was unhappy with his putting as he dropped shots on the last two holes to card a 71, taking him to three-under for the week, alongside Sanjay Kumar, Asohk Kumar, Indrajit Bhalotia, Ajay Gupta and Bhoop Singh.
Among the three amateurs, local Sanjeev Mehra, who carded an opening 74, followed by a two-over 72 today, led the amateur field.
He was also the only amateur to survive the professional cut, which was applied at the top fifty scores and ties.
Following are the leading scorers at the end of the second day of the meet.
130-Mukesh Kumar (66, 64); 131-Rafiq Ali (65, 66); 132-Amritinder Singh (67, 65); 133- Digvijay Singh (68, 65), Uttam Singh Mundy (64, 69); 135-Shiv Prakash (69,66), Rahul Ganapathy (67, 68); 137-Ali Sher (66, 71), Sanjay Kumar (68, 69), Asohk Kumar (67, 70), Indrajit Bhalotia (67, 70), Ajay Gupta (66, 71); 138-Bhoop Singh (67, 71); 139-Feroz Ali (70, 69); 140-Pappan (72, 68), SSP Chowrasia (71, 69), Naman Dawar (68, 72), Yusuf Ali (68, 72), Shamim Khan (66, 74).
