Noida, December 18, 2008: Shamim Khan built on his first round lead at the ONGC Masters 2008 by shooting a brilliant six under 66 in the second round on Thursday. Shamim's bogey-free 66 moved his total score to 13 under 131 as he had fired 65 in round one. Amardip Sinh Malik also shot 66 in round two to be placed second. He trails Shamim by six strokes. The cut was declared at three over 147. Fifty professionals made the cut.
Shamim started from the 10th tee and consolidated his position at the top of the leaderboard by producing birdies on the 12th, 16th and 18th on his first nine. The Delhi golfer then sank three more birdies (first, fourth, sixth) on his second nine even as the wind picked up and conditions became tougher.
"I played much bett
er than yesterday even though I had shot a lower score in round one. Keeping in mind that it was a little colder this morning and the pin positions were tougher compared to yesterday, I think I have done really well," said Shamim, who has made just one bogey in the first two rounds.
He added, "I was very accurate with my tee shots and approach shots today and my putting was flawless. I hit the ball really close today and did not miss any putts. I also had a couple of good par saves on the 15th and the ninth."
Meerut's Amardip Sinh Malik (71, 66) lies second at the halfway stage with a total of seven under 137. Malik was two under at the turn, having made birdies on the 14th and 15th. He then turned on the heat on his second nine as he came up with an eagle on the first, birdies on the second, fourth, seventh and a bogey on the sixth.
Malik said, "This is
definitely my best round this season. I did exceptionally well with my lob wedge and sand wedge shots today. I was spot-on with anything within 100 yards of the green. I have recently worked on my swing with Romit Bose and that has helped my game to a great extent."
"I just about got into the groove on the first nine and then hit a purple patch beginning with the eagle on the first. On the first, I hit my five-iron second shot, 20 feet short of the pin," said Malik.
Kunal Bhasin came up with a round of five under 67 on day two to lie third, one stroke behind Amardip Sinh Malik. Bhasin's (71, 67) total score reads six under 138.
Harendra Gupta (68, 71), Rahul Ganapathy (71, 68), Raju Ali Mollah (67, 72) and Gurki Shergill (70, 69) share fourth place with an identical total of five under 139.
Ashok Kumar is tied 10th at two under 142 while Rahil Gangjee is a further stroke behind in tied 14th place. Mukesh Kumar totaled one over 145 to be tied 23rd.
Shamim started from the 10th tee and consolidated his position at the top of the leaderboard by producing birdies on the 12th, 16th and 18th on his first nine. The Delhi golfer then sank three more birdies (first, fourth, sixth) on his second nine even as the wind picked up and conditions became tougher.
"I played much bett
er than yesterday even though I had shot a lower score in round one. Keeping in mind that it was a little colder this morning and the pin positions were tougher compared to yesterday, I think I have done really well," said Shamim, who has made just one bogey in the first two rounds.He added, "I was very accurate with my tee shots and approach shots today and my putting was flawless. I hit the ball really close today and did not miss any putts. I also had a couple of good par saves on the 15th and the ninth."
Meerut's Amardip Sinh Malik (71, 66) lies second at the halfway stage with a total of seven under 137. Malik was two under at the turn, having made birdies on the 14th and 15th. He then turned on the heat on his second nine as he came up with an eagle on the first, birdies on the second, fourth, seventh and a bogey on the sixth.
Malik said, "This is
definitely my best round this season. I did exceptionally well with my lob wedge and sand wedge shots today. I was spot-on with anything within 100 yards of the green. I have recently worked on my swing with Romit Bose and that has helped my game to a great extent.""I just about got into the groove on the first nine and then hit a purple patch beginning with the eagle on the first. On the first, I hit my five-iron second shot, 20 feet short of the pin," said Malik.
Kunal Bhasin came up with a round of five under 67 on day two to lie third, one stroke behind Amardip Sinh Malik. Bhasin's (71, 67) total score reads six under 138.
Harendra Gupta (68, 71), Rahul Ganapathy (71, 68), Raju Ali Mollah (67, 72) and Gurki Shergill (70, 69) share fourth place with an identical total of five under 139.
Ashok Kumar is tied 10th at two under 142 while Rahil Gangjee is a further stroke behind in tied 14th place. Mukesh Kumar totaled one over 145 to be tied 23rd.