Date:15/08/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200908150324.htm

Back Golf: Himmat rises, Ghei misses cut at Queen's Cup

Samui (PTI): Himmat Rai surged to the tied 12th spot with a brilliant five-under 66 but veteran Gaurav Ghei fell by the wayside after turning in a three-over 74 in the second round of the $300,000 Queen's Cup golf tournament here on Friday.

Himmat's card was studded with six birdies against a lone bogey and left his total at five-under 137.

He played out a flawless front nine with birdies on the second, sixth and ninth hole to make the turn three-under.

His back nine was equally impressive as he notched up birdies on the 13th, 17th and 18th after stumbling to his lone bogey on the 12th.

Ghei, however, turned in a disappointing 74 to total seven-over 149 and miss the the cut for weekend action.

Among other Indians, Anirban Lahiri (68) was tied 21st with a total of three-under 139.

Rahil Gangjee (70) and C Muniyappa (70) shared the 43rd spot with totals of even-par 142.

At the top, Thailand's Chinnarat Phadungsil charged into a three-shot lead after a superb six-under 65.

The 20-year-old stroked in seven birdies against a lone bogey at the Santiburi Samui Country Club to lead the event on 11-under 131.