Vijay Kumar keeps lead, Chowrasia in second place

Mewat, March 11 (IANS) Lucknow's Vijay Kumar maintained his two-stroke lead in the Solaris Chemtech Open Golf Championship 2010 with a four under-68 to take his total to nine under 135, here Thursday.

Kolkata's S.S.P. Chowrasia was in second place at seven under 137 and the cut was declared at three over 147. Fifty-four professionals and one amateur made the cut.

Vijay (67-68), came out firing on all cylinders in round two. He birdied the first, third and fifth, hitting his approach and chip shots to pin-point precision. A bogey followed on the seventh but Vijay bounced back with another birdie on the 10th where he hit his sand wedge from 115 yards to within one foot of the hole.

The former Indian Open champion made bogey-birdie on the 13th and 14th before closing the day with a birdie on the 18th. The birdie on the final hole came as a result of an excellent chip from 60 yards that landed within six feet of the flag.

"I hit it close for most part of the round and did not leave myself any long putts. My best shot of the day was perhaps the chip from 60 yards on the 18th that set up a six feet birdie putt for me.

"All aspects of my game seem to be coming together now. I must ensure that I capitalise on this momentum over the next two days," said Vijay.

Chowrasia (69-68) also fired a four under in round two and was placed second at seven under 137. His round was punctuated by an eagle, five birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. He sank a 50 feet putt from the fringe for eagle
on the closing ninth hole.

Vivek Bhandari (70-68) of the Delhi Golf Club was third at six under 138. He made five birdies against a lone bogey in round two.

R. Murthy of Bangalore and Lucknow's Sanjay Kumar shared fourth place at five under 139 while Gaurav Ghei, Gurki Shergill, Gurbaaz Mann and Ali Sher were tied sixth at three under 141.