Mukesh sustains lead in Tata Open

Jan 05:  Mukesh shares lead with Gaganjeet Bhullar after two rounds of Tata Open 08

Mukesh Kumar continued his good work in the New year opener and remained on top alongwith Gaganjeet Bhullar with both ended the day as the joint leaders after the end of round two of the Tata Open 2008 played at the Golmuri and Beldih golf courses here on Friday.

The two finished the second round with a total of five-under-par 137. Harendra Gupta and Mohd Siddikur Rahman were one shot behind the joint leaders and tied together at third place.

The golfers switched their venues (those who played at Beldih on day one, played 18 holes at Golmuri on day two and vice-versa) on Friday.

Mukesh currently shares the lead after some consistent performance in two rounds three under 69 at Beldih and two under 68 at Golmuri. The 2002 Tata Open champion was even par at the turn on Friday after making birdies on the fifth and seventh and bogeys on the eighth and ninth holes of the Golmuri golf course. On the back nine Mukesh made two more birdies on the 10th and 12th hole.

“I played another consistent round but could have performed even better had I putted well. I did not read the greens all that well and missed a five feet putt for eagle on the 12th. I'm hoping for a much better performance with the putter over the next two days,� said Mukesh after the day's play.

Joint leader Gaganjeet Bhullar shot 66 at Golmuri to record the best round of the day. He had carded 71 at Beldih on Thursday. Bhullar sank birdies on the fourth, 11th, 12th, 13th and 16th while dropped a bogey on the third.

Harendra Gupta (66) climbed to tied third after returning the best round of the day along with Gaganjeet Bhullar. His total moved to four under 138 as he had shot even par 72 at Beldih on Thursday.

Playing at Golmuri he began the front nine with a birdie on the first hole, which was followed by a bogey on the third. Gupta then had an amazing run of three consecutive birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh.

The Chandigarh pro made bogey on the 10th, birdie on the 12th and another bogey on the 15th. Gupta signed off in style with an eagle on the par five 16th where he hit a driver, five iron and then converted a five feet putt.

“I had a great score today because I made some very long putts, especially on the fifth and sixth. However, I feel my rhythm was not there,� said Gupta.

Bangladesh 's Mohd Siddikur Rahman also finished round two in tied third after firing 71 and 67 at Beldih and Golmuri respectively. Rahman sank birdies on the first, second, fourth, seventh, eighth, 13th and 14th and dropped bogeys on the sixth, ninth, 10th and 15th.

Defending champion SSP Chowrasia stayed in the hunt after he carded 68 at Golmuri. He is currently tied fifth and his total stands at two under 140. Chowrasia's second round included an eagle on the seventh, birdies on 11th and 14th and bogeys on the ninth and 16th. Rafick Ali Mollah is tied fifth along with SSP Chowrasia.

A total of 52 professionals and one amateur made the cut that has been made at nine over. Local lad Karan Taunk was the only amateur to make the cut.