SCORESHEET
Day 1

October 23rd 2009, Digboi, Assam: Defending champion Mukesh Kumar turned in a bogey-free 66 on Friday to lead the field by three strokes after round two of the IndianOil XtraPremium Masters Golf 2009. Mukesh's total currently reads 10 under 134. Feroz Ali Mollah, the round one leader, fired 70 on day two to slip into second place with a total of seven under 137.

The cut was declared at nine over 153. Fifty-one professionals made the cut.

Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh Kumar (68, 66), a four-time winner at the IndianOil XtraPremium Masters (2001-02, 2004, 2007), made a rather quiet start from the 10th on Friday. He made seven pars and two birdies (14th and 17th) on the back nine to make the turn at two under.

The professional from Mhow converted a 15 feet putt to pick up a birdie on the first. He then sank three more birdies on the fifth, seventh and ninth to submit a card of 66.

Mukesh said, "I hit it close on most holes today and had 17 regulations. I started slowly but then picked up the pace after knocking down a 15-footer for birdie on the first."

"I have performed really well at this venue in the past and am therefore quite confident of putting up yet another memorable performance this time around," added the 2007-08 Aircel-PGTI Order of Merit champion.

Feroz Ali Mollah (67, 70) of Kolkata seemed to be in ominous form as he bagged four birdies on the front nine. However, he lost the momentum with two bogeys on the back nine.

"I hit the ball well and made 15 regulations today but a poor second shot on the 11th and an inaccurate drive on the 13th let me down. The highlight of my round today was the 20 feet putt for birdie on the third," said Feroz.

Anthony Choat of Australia posted a solid 67 on day two to grab a share of third place along with Kolkata's Ranjit Singh Rathore at six under 138. Rathore returned his second successive 69 on Friday.

Vinod Kumar, Vishal Singh, Shamim Khan, Shankar Das and Amardip Sinh Malik are tied fifth at five under 139.