Date:07/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110754701800.htm

Sport - Golf

Muniyappa in the lead

BANGALORE: Bangalore’s C. Muniyappa shot a six-under 66 to climb to the top of the heap even as Harmeet Kahlon equalled the course record with an eight-under 64 on the second day of the PGTI- Toyota Altis Open golf at the Eagleton Golf Course, here on Thursday.

Muniyappa, who had an impressive 67 on the first day on Wednesday, enjoys a two-stroke lead of 11-under 133. Fifty-three professionals and one amateur made the cut, which was declared at four-over 148 after round two.

Meanwhile, Kahlon equalled the course record set earlier in the day by Sanjay Kumar and A.S. Lehal, to be tied second at nine-under 135 alongside overnight leader Anirban Lahiri and Mukesh Kumar.

The 31-year-old Muniyappa (67, 66) began with a birdie on the first, but bogied in the very next. But subsequent birdies on the fourth, sixth and seventh saw Muniyappa nose ahead on the return with a three-under and pushed further with three more birdies (10th, 17th and 18th).

“My putting was good today and the 30-foot birdie on the 17th was a clincher. Also, I had a couple of good par saves on the 12th and 14th. I have been in the lead at the halfway stage on a few occasions in the past but unfortunately have not been able to capitalise on it. I cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past,” said Muniyappa.

The PGTI Order of Merit leader Mukesh (68, 67) made six birdies and one bogey to end the day in tied second place with overnight leader Lahiri (65, 70) and Kahlon. Mukesh birdied on the first, fourth, seventh, ninth, 10th, 15th and bogeyed the second.

Rahul Ganapathy (68, 68) and Kunal Bhasin (71, 65) are both tied fifth at eight-under 136. Sanjay (73, 64) is a stroke behind in seventh place, while Himmat Singh Rai (72, 66) lies eighth at six-under 138. Local golfer, S. Chikkarangappa (71, 68), was the only amateur to make the cut.