ROUND 1
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Aamby Valley, Maharashtra, May 7, 2009: Gaganjeet Bhullar holds a four-stroke lead after round two of the PGTI Players Championship presented by Aamby Valley Golf Club. Bhullar followed up his opening round 66 with a five under 67 on Thursday to take his overall score to 11 under 133. Harmeet Kahlon climbed to second place after breaking the course record with a fabulous eight under 64. Kahlon’s total now reads seven under 137. The course record of seven under 65 was earlier jointly held by Hendrik Buhrmann of South Africa and India’s Shiv Kapur.

Gaganjeet Bhullar

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

Gaganjeet Bhullar (66, 67) was going strong on the front nine as he made birdie on the first hole, sank an eagle on the third and then picked up two more birdies on the seventh and eighth. Gaganjeet, the current PGTI Order of Merit leader, thus made the turn at five under. Bhullar dropped a bogey on the 13th but then came up with a birdie on the 15th to close the day at five under 67.

Bhullar said, “I hit the ball better than yesterday even though the conditions were tougher today as it was windier. I played really well on the front nine, having made three birdies besides an eagle on the third. I hit my approach shot (three-quarter three iron) to within seven feet of the pin for eagle on the third.”

He added, “I then had a lean patch from the 12th to the 14th. I missed a three-footer for birdie on the 12th, dropped a bogey on the 13th and then missed a relatively easy chip-putt on the 14th. However, I’m quite pleased with my second round effort and my current position.”

Harmeet Kahlon (73, 64) began his round on a positive note on Thursday as he holed a monstrous 50 feet birdie putt on the opening hole (10th). He then consolidated on his good start by knocking down three successive birdies on the 12th, 13th, 14th. Another birdie on the 17th helped the Chandigarh golfer make the turn at five under.

After sinking a birdie on the first, Kahlon dropped his first stroke of the day on the fourth hole. On the par four fifth, Kahlon hit his approach shot to within two feet of the pin to pick up yet another birdie. He rounded off his day with two more birdies on the seventh and ninth to close at eight under 64.

“I hit it close all day and also putted really well. My hitting and putting was much better compared to round one. I couldn’t have asked for a better start as I made a 50 feet putt for birdie on the opening 10th hole. The fact that I had two eagle opportunities today is an indication of how well I was hitting the ball,” said Kahlon, a winner in the 2006-07 PGTI season.

He added, “I have recently been using a particular putting software which has contributed towards my good performance with the putter over the last few weeks. I had only 25 putts for my 64 today. In fact, I got a video lesson from my coach this morning which helped me hit it close through the day. The inputs from my mental coach and my wife have also helped me in improving my game.”

Chiragh Kumar (69, 71) and Nabin Mandal (69, 71) share third place at four under 140 while Vikrant Chopra (69, 72) is a further stroke behind in fifth position.

Mukesh Kumar (72, 72), the 2007-08 PGTI Order of Merit winner, is in tied 11th place at even par 144.

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