Mhow's Mukesh Kumar fired a five-under 67 to take a one stroke lead after the second round of the PGTI Players Championship at the Classic Golf Resort, here today.
Mukesh thus took his total to nine-under-135. The Delhi duo of Shamim Khan and Rashid Khan were tied second.
Mukesh (68-67), the winner at PGTI's last event in Chandigarh, climbed from overnight tied fourth into the sole lead, thanks to a sublime 67. He sank a 10 feet putt for his first birdie of the day on the second hole and then followed it up with a birdie putt from five feet on the fourth.
Mukesh missed a two feet putt to drop his only bogey of the day on the fifth. He landed it within seven feet for birdies on the sixth, seventh and 15th and found the green in two to set up a birdie on the par-5 14th.
"I hit it really close today, having landed it within seven feet on as many as four occasions for birdies. I also grabbed my opportunity on the par-5 14th. I continue to be in good form with the putter. It's going to be a low-scoring week since there is not much rough on the course. Therefore, a score of nine-under at the halfway stage gives me a very good chance," said Mukesh.
Round one joint leaders, Shamim (66-70) and Rashid (66-70) dropped to tied second place after firing matching scores of 70. Shamim and Rashid have tournament totals of eight-under-136.
Bangalore's Chikkarangappa S and Greater Noida's Mandeo Singh Pathania are in tied fourth at seven-under-137.
The cut was declared at one-over 145. Fifty-one professionals and one amateur made the cut.
