Tarlac, Philippines, 19-12-2015
Bhullar stays in the hunt in Philippines, Joshi closes in on Asian Tour card
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a second round three-under-69 at the weather-shortened Philippine Open presented by ICTSI, the final event of the 2015 Asian Tour season, to share third position at a total of eight-under-136. Bhullar was thus in touch with the leader Lindsay Renolds of Canada, whom he trailed by two shots at the US$300,000 event.
Bhullar (67-69), a five-time Asian Tour winner, who was overnight tied second, made six birdies and three bogeys during his second round. He birdied the last hole to stay within striking distance of winning a sixth Asian Tour title.
“I’m in the title mix. I played really well from holes one to nine. It got a big dodgy on a few par fours on the back. My two bogeys were the result of mismanagement with the clubbing. Other than that it is a good solid round,” he said.
Khalin Joshi (70-67) was the second Indian in the top-10. His round of 67 on Saturday, took his total to seven-under-137 and helped him climb 10 places from overnight tied 17th. Joshi, currently lying 67th in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, is now on course to earn his maiden Asian Tour card. He needs to break into the top-63 at the end of this week in order to earn his tour card for 2016.
Himmat Rai submitted a card of (71-70) to be tied 32nd at three-under-141.
Chikkarangappa (74-71) and Shubhankar Sharma (69-76), both totalled one-over-145 to miss the cut by one shot. Chikka and Shubhankar thus suffered a major setback to their hopes of securing their Asian Tour cards for next season.
Chikka is currently placed 72nd in the Asian Tour money list while Shubhankar is in 76th position. Both were required to make the cut this week in order to move up the rankings.
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