Gurgaon : Delhi?s Chiragh Kumar carded a superb eight under 64 to grab the lead on day two of the PGTI Players Championship presented by Golden Greens Golf & Country Club on Wednesday.
Chiragh totaled nine under 135 for the tournament after his outstanding second-round effort. R Srinivas of Bangalore returned a 67 to be placed second at six under 138.
The cut was declared at eight over 152. Fifty-four professionals and one amateur made the cut.
Chiragh Kumar (71-64) came out all guns blazing on Wednesday as he knocked down birdies on the first three holes and followed that up with another one on the fifth. He landed it within two feet for birdies on the first and third. The 2006 Asian Games silver medalist collected four more birdies on his inward journey to emerge as a serious contender for the title at the halfway stage.
?I was in excellent hitting form today and even sank two birdie putts from over 15 feet. The birdies on the first three holes really got my round going. I have been in decent form of late as my short-game is looking good. I am committing to my shots and the mental process is also falling into place. The fifth-place finish at Chandigarh last week was a morale-booster for me,? said Chiragh.
R Srinivas (71-67) posted a 67 to be in second position, three strokes behind the leader. Srinivas had an eventful first nine (10th to 18th) where he made five birdies against a lone bogey. He followed that up with a quiet second nine, making just one birdie on the ninth.
Ashok Kumar, Vinod Kumar and Mukesh Kumar share third place at five under 139.
Mandeo Singh Pathania?s four under 140 total placed him sixth on the leaderboard.