Mukesh surges into lead in Masters Golf

DIGBOI - Defending champion Mukesh Kumar turned in a bogey-free 66 to lead the field by three strokes after round two of the Indian Oil Xtra Premium Masters Golf tournament here in Assam friday.

Mukesh’s total currently reads 10 under 134. Feroz Ali Mollah, the round one leader, fired 70 today to slip into second place with a total of seven under 137.

The cut was declared at nine over 153. Fifty-one professionals made the cut.

Mukesh Kumar (68, 66), a four-time Masters winner (2001-02, 2004, 2007), made a rather quiet start from the 10th on Friday. He made seven pars and two birdies (14th and 17th) on the back nine to make the turn at two under.

The professional from Mhow in Madhya Pradesh converted a 15 feet putt to pick up a birdie on the first. He then sank three more birdies on the fifth, seventh and ninth to submit a card of 66.

Mukesh said: I hit it close on most holes today and had 17 regulations. I started slowly but then picked up the pace after knocking down a 15-footer for birdie on the first.

I have performed really well at this venue in the past and am therefore quite confident of putting up yet another memorable performance this time around.

Feroz Ali (67, 70) of Kolkata seemed to be in ominous form as he bagged four birdies on the front nine. However, he lost the momentum with two bogeys on the back nine.

Anthony Choat of Australia posted a solid 67 on day two to grab a share of third place along with Kolkata’s Ranjit Singh Rathore at six under 138. Rathore returned his second successive 69 on Friday.

Vinod Kumar, Vishal Singh, Shamim Khan, Shankar Das and Amardip Sinh Malik were tied fifth at five under 139.