Noda City, Chiba prefecture, Japan: Arjun Atwal tied 11th on Day 2, five shots of the leader at -4. American Jason Knutzon continued to take his place atop the leaderboard after signing for a second round two-under-par 69 at the Panasonic OPEN Japan on Friday. Arjun got off to a fine start despite a closing bogey on Thursday, to be the best placed Indian at tied-16th at the end of the first round of Panasonic OPEN Japan. 

'                                               Arjun Atwal (IND) – Second round 69 (-2), Total 138 (-4)

"The last two days have been great considering I haven’t played since the Indian Open. I was a little rusty but I managed to score well. I like the fact that you get to hit a variety of shots off the tee over here. It’s a little bit of an old school layout and I like that. The greens are tricky and I like the whole combination. I worked a little bit on my game during the last four weeks but not that much. It was not like crazy and I felt pretty good coming here. We’ll see after tomorrow. If I can shoot a really low score that can get me into the hunt tomorrow, then it’ll be interesting to see what happens next on Sunday." said Atwal

Despite not being able to match his opening 64, Knutzon’s two-day total of nine-under-par 133 was still enough for him to enjoy a two-shot cushion over Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat, Philippines’ Juvic Pagunsan, Korea’s Inhoi Hur and Japan’s Yujiro Ohori.

Jason Knutzon at position 1 after Round 2 on Friday
 

Gaganjeet Bhullar also lead strong Indian Challenge in Japan, with 69 on Round 2, tied-32. 

Panuphol also moved into contention for his maiden Asian Tour breakthrough by compiling a 135 at the Chiba Country Club, Umesato course in Noda City, Chiba prefecture.

Philippines’ Juvic Pagunsan, who finished third in Mie prefecture, Kansai last week, is looking forward to better that result after signing for a 67 at the ¥150 million (approximately US$1.37million) event which is the third event to be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) this year.

SSP Chawrasia, tied 46th on Round 2 started from 10th hole on day 1, was three-under through 10 holes, before a double bogey on second and a bogey on fourth saw him end the day at even par and tied-36th on Round 1.

Of the other Indians, Rashid Khan (71) was tied-36th,  Shiv Kapur with 72 each were tied-60th, while Chiragh Kumar and Jeev Milkha Singh (74) were 102nd, Rahil Gangjee (75) was 113th, and Jyoti Randhawa and Shubhankar Sharma at 76 were 120th on Round 1, failed to make the cut in Round 2.

The 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion managed to overcome the early chilly conditions to set himself up well for the weekend battle which will feature 61 players with the cut set at even-par.