SCORESHEET
Day 1

February 3rd 2010, Kolkata: Manav Jaini of the Delhi Golf Club and veteran Mukesh Kumar from Mhow are tied for the lead at six under 134 after round two of the Aircel-PGTI Players Championship presented by Tollygunge Club. While Jaini carded a solid three under 67 on Wednesday, Mukesh produced a sedate one under 69. Lucknow’s Sanjay Kumar produced the best score of the day, a five under 65, to be placed third at five under 135.

The cut was declared at five over 145. Fifty-three professionals and one amateur made the cut.

Manav Jaini during Round 2

Manav Jaini (67, 67), a 10th tee starter on day two, made a decent start with pars on the first three holes. His first birdie came on the 13th where he played a good chip from 20 yards to make a tricky up and down. He then converted an 18-footer for birdie on the 17th that helped him make the turn at two under.

Manav came up with a stupendous second shot (pitching wedge) from 135 yards on the third, which landed within two feet and led to an easy birdie putt. His only bogey of the day came on the sixth as a result of a missed putt from eight feet. The 26-year-old managed to pocket his last birdie with another good chip-putt on the seventh.

Jaini said, “My hitting was decent today even though it was not as solid as it had been in round one. I hit a few loose shots and scrambled on a few holes but did not really struggle with my game. Fortunately for me, all the misses landed in the right places and did not affect my scoring as such. I also made all the chip-putts that came my way in round two.”

“This is the first time on the PGTI that I will go into round three as the joint leader. I just hope to make the most of my opportunities over the last two days,” added Jaini.

Mukesh Kumar (65, 69) made a poor start with a double bogey on the 11th and a bogey on the 12th. He then turned the tide by sinking some really long putts for birdies on the 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th and sixth. A bogey on the seventh meant he closed with a one under.

Mukesh said, “My short game was good today but I was in bad hitting form. I’m not satisfied with my effort as my target for the day was five under and I fell way short of it. But I’ll take heart from the fact that I recovered really well despite dropping three strokes on the 11th and 12th. I made four birdie putts that were over 15 feet.”

Sanjay Kumar (70, 65) knocked-in five birdies to climb from overnight tied 19th to third place at five under 135. Sanjay thus posted the best score in round two.

Om Prakash Chouhan, Amardip Sinh Malik, Harmeet Kahlon and Kolkata’s Feroz Ali Mollah are tied fourth at three under 137.