By IANS
Jakarta : Jeev Milkha Singh led five Indians into the money-making weekend rounds at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open Friday. Jeev, who shot a five-under 65 on first day followed that up with a four-under 66 to be nine-under 131 and in tied sixth place.
The former Asia No. 1 Jeev is four shots off the surprise leader Felipe Aguilar of Chile, who fired the day’s best score of eight-under par 62 for a 13-under par 127 total at the Cengkareng Golf Club.
Jeev could have been better placed but for the bogey on closing par-four hole. “I just hit it to the right of the flag and there was a slope there. I tried to lag that putt but left it short. However, that’s alright. It’s the only bogey against the five birdies that I’ve made today,” said Jeev.
“It is definitely exciting to play the weekend rounds. And that’s exactly why we play — to get into these positions and try to do something come Sunday.”
The other Indians making the cut were Arjun Atwal (67) at six-under 134 and in tied 14th place, Shiv Kapur (67) at four-under and in 29th place up from overnight 56th, Jyoti Randhawa (70) and Gaurav Ghei (67) both of whom were at two-under tied 45th.
Missing the cut were Rahil Gangjee (74) at eight-over and Amandeep Johl (76) at 11-over.
Jeev had a great front nine at four-under 32 and then had a birdie on 16th, but spoilt his flawless round with a fine hole bogey.
Atwal had four birdies and one bogey on the 17th.
Atwal came up from his 23rd last night. Atwal bogeyed his last hole of first round, which was completed this morning.
Aguilar, who started on the back nine, took advantage of the clear morning conditions to reach the turn on 30 before firing a total of eight birdies in a blemish free round to close on 62.
Thailand’s Prom Meesawat, who finished seventh on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and registered six top-10s last season, produced five straight birdies in his opening front nine before closing with a total of nine birdies to share second place with South Africa’s James Kamte on matching 129s.
Thailand’s other in-form star, Prayad Marksaeng continued his early good form to the season by matching his opening round score of 65 to share fourth place with Austria’s Martin Wiegele.
China’s Liang Wen-chong recorded a 67 to end in seventh place at the US$1.2 million co-sanctioned event between the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Defending champion Mikko Ilonen carded a 134 to take joint 15th place while Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley finished in 20th and 37th place respectively going into the weekend.
A total of 80 players made the cut