Bangkok: Experienced golfer Jeev Milkha Singh turned the clock back with a flawless eight-under 63 while Gaganjeet Bhullar carried on the momentum with a five-under 66 to grab a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the $3,00,000 Thailand Open here Friday.
Bhullar, twice winner on the season on the Asian Tour last year, and young Thai Rattanon Wannasrichan shared the lead at 11-under 131 after the second round.
Jeev, who last won in 2012, and is a two-time winner of Asian Tour order of Merit, admitted he did not even remember when he last shot a 63, as he had eight birdies against no bogeys. The 45-year-old from Chandigarh at eight-under 134, and three shots behind Bhullar, is tied fifth.
Another Indian doing well is Shiv Kapur who added a four-under 67 to his first round 70 to be five-under 137 and tied 23rd.
Among others who made the cut for the weekend were Shankar Das (71-67), Arjun Prasad (70-69), Khalin Joshi (70-70), Himmat Rai (69-71), Chiragh Kumar (71-69), Shubankar Sharma (72-68) and S Chikkarangappa (72-69). However, Sujjan Singh, Rahil Gangjee and Honey Baisoya missed the cut.
Starting the day with a three-shot deficit, the 29-year- old Bhullar traded six birdies against one bogey to move atop the leaderboard with overnight co-leader Rattanon, who battled to a 69, on 11-under 131 total at the scenic Thai Country Club.
“I pretty much played the same way like I played yesterday (Thursday),” Bhullar said after the end of the day’s play. “I gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities. Overall, I think it was my consistency which helped me catch up with the leaders,” he added.
