Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 29, 2009: Bangladesh amateur Mohd. Jamal Hossain Mollah’s five under 67 on Thursday helped him emerge as the sole leader in round two of the City Bank – Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Open 2009. Mollah, thus consolidated on his first round score of 68 as his overall score moved to nine under 135. Shamim Khan, the round one leader, kept up the momentum on day two with a 69 to be placed second at the halfway stage. Shamim is one stroke behind the leader at eight under 136. Indore’s Aditya Singh came up with a hole-in-one on the 16th hole on Thursday.

The cut was declared at 10 over 154. Fifty-one professionals and eight amateurs made the cut at the end of round two.

Jamal Hossain Mollah raised local hopes with his incredible round on day two of the tournament. He got off to a dream start with three consecutive birdies on the first three holes. The 19-year-old amateur, who was placed second after round one, picked up the pace with three more birdies on the seventh, 12th and 13th. He dropped two strokes with bogeys on the 16th and 17th but managed to pull one back by making birdie on the 18th.

Jamal Hossain Mollah looks on after his swing

“My driving was much better today as compared to yesterday. I hit the ball pretty close to the pins today and therefore earned as many as seven birdies. I made 12 greens in regulation and only missed the fairway on the 17th hole where I hit my drive into the water hazard,” said Jamal.

He went on to add, “It feels great to lead as the field in this tournament is very strong. I always play with a very cool mind and will continue to do so over the next two days. I will play my game and not get ahead of myself. My strategy for the last two rounds would be to play safe and any birdie coming my way would be a bonus. I will not attack as much as I did on the first two days.”

Shamim Khan (67, 69) birdied the 12th, 17th, first, third and bogeyed the 13th in his second round. He was placed second after round two and stayed in touch with the leader, having totaled eight under 136.

Shamim said, “I played a consistent round but missed a number of close putts. I hope to improve my putting over the last two rounds so that I can be in contention.”

Twenty-two year old professional Aditya Singh (82, 77) fired a hole-in-one on the 16th hole during the second round. Aditya’s 5-Wood tee shot on the 212 yard 16th hole, landed about 10 feet short of the pin on a downhill hump on the green and then trickled in.

“It’s my first ever hole-in-one. The fact that this is my first event as a professional makes it even more special. I was very excited when I was informed about the hole-in-one as I myself could not see the ball roll into the hole,” said Aditya, who originally hails from Indore but has recently shifted base to Delhi. However, he missed the cut, having totaled 15 over 159 after two rounds.

Sanjay Kumar (69, 69) carded his second consecutive 69 to be placed third at six under 138. Harmeet Kahlon (70, 69) lies fourth at five under 139.

Harendra Gupta (69, 72) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (72, 69) have matching totals of three under 141 and are placed tied sixth.

Mohd. Lutfur Rahman (72, 70) is the highest placed professional from Bangladesh. He lies tied ninth at two under 142. Mohd. Zakiruzzaman (74, 68), an amateur from Bangladesh also totaled two under 142 to share ninth place with Lutfur Rahman.

Mohd Siddikur Rahman (74, 71), one of the local favourites, signed off round two with an overall score of one over 145 to be tied 16th.

Aditya Singh