Macau, 16-10-2015
Chiragh Kumar posts 66 to be joint second along with Anirban Lahiri in Macau
Jeev Milkha Singh lies tied 12th in Portugal
India’s Chiragh Kumar (67-66) followed up his brilliant 67 in round one with an even better five-under-66 in round two to climb up from overnight tied eighth to tied second at the Venetian Macau Open. Chiragh was joined by defending champion and compatriot Anirban Lahiri (66-67) as well as Korea’s Jeunghun Wang and Brazilian Adilson Da Silva in tied second place at nine-under-133, one shot off the lead.
Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao produced a scintillating seven-under-par 64 to snatch a one-shot halfway lead at the US$ 1 million Asian Tour tournament.
World number 39 Lahiri, who jumped two places from his overnight tied fourth, accumulated an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys to stay on track to successfully defend his title. The Indian star was disappointed though to drop a shot at his last hole.
“It leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I hit a good drive and just got stuck in a terrible lie and it was a bad five,” Lahiri said. “I think I played well, pretty similar to yesterday. But the couple of times I missed the fairway, I found some difficult lies in the rough.”
A four iron approach from 241 yards out set him up for easy eagle and the current Order of Merit leader is hoping his putter will find its full range this weekend. “Every time I hit it close, I didn’t make a putt. I’m in a similar position again (as last year). Hopefully I don’t make these silly mistakes,” he said.
Rahil Gangjee (67-68) and Rashid Khan (70-65) were the other two Indians in the top-10. Gangjee and Khan shared eighth place at seven-under-135.
Gaganjeet Bhullar and Abhijit Singh Chadha were bunched together in tied 14th at five-under-137. SSP Chawrasia was a further shot back in tied 19th.
Jyoti Randhawa, lying tied 61st, totalled even-par-142 for the first two days to make the cut by one shot.
At the European Tour’s Portugal Masters, Jeev Milkha Singh (69-66) ended round two in tied 12th at seven-under-135, seven shots off the lead. His second round of five-under-66 helped him move up 21 places from his overnight tied 33rd. Jeev made an eagle, four birdies and a bogey in round two.
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