Published 08:09 IST, December 14th 2019
Kapur cards 65, moves to 5th; Sandhu 8th in Jakarta
India's Shiv Kapur, who has finished runners-up in two of his last three starts, fired a sizzling seven-under 65 on day two to put himself into contention
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India's Shiv Kapur, who has finished runners-up in two of his last three starts, fired a sizzling seven-under 65 on day two to put himself into contention at the halfway stage of the USD 750,000 BNI Indonesian Masters on Friday. Kapur is now Tied-fifth at nine-under 135 and four shots behind leader, Josh Younger (65) who is at 13-under. There were a lot of good scores from Indian golfers as Ajeetesh Sandhu (67) moved to eight-under and Tied-eighth, Rashid Khan (65) moved to Tied-14 and six-under despite the first round of 73.
Also at T-14 is Viraj Madappa (69). The other Indians making the cut include Jyoti Randhawa (69) at T-30 at four-under and SSP Chawrasia (69) -- three-under at T-39th. Aman Raj (73) is T-50th and Arjun Atwal (71) is T-60th but Veer Ahlawat (72-72), Khalin Joshi (74-72), Aadil Bedi (77-70) and S Chikkarangappa (74-75) missed the cut.
Kapur said, "I played good today. I was actually very frustrated when I started because on my first four holes, I had four great approach shots, but I missed the putts. The toughest part of the day was on the fifth hole where I had a really quick downhill putt, breaking both ways and I holed that.
"After that, it seemed to like the floodgates kind of opened and I made five in a row there and then added two more in the next three holes. The only disappointment on the back nine was the 14th hole where I had a great second shot in and probably 10 or 12 feet above the hole but I just misread it.
"Hopefully I can continue to roll the ball like I did today. I holed a couple of really long ones on the front nine. I am pleased with my position now. I mean I am on the side of the draw where it was a little breezy and a little tougher. But at least I've given myself a chance on the weekend."
Younger, who claimed his first victory in his 10 years as a professional two weeks ago, had seven birdies to cap a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club. Overnight co-leader Keith Horne of South Africa signed for a 67 to take second place, while Thai hotshot Gunn Charoenkul, who just rounded off a commendable season on the Japan Golf Tour last week, carded a bogey-free 65 to take third place on 133. Alex Cejka of Germany registered a 66 to settle three shots off the pace in fourth.
Kapur, American Sihwan Kim and Thai star Prom Meesawat, shared fifth place on matching 135s following rounds. The 2019 Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond settled seven shots off the lead in tied-14th place following a 70. A total of 68 players, ranked into top-65 and ties after 36 holes, progressed into the weekend rounds of the BNI Indonesian Masters, which is celebrating its ninth straight edition on the Asian Tour.
Updated 08:13 IST, December 14th 2019