Chonburi (Thailand), Dec 11 (IANS) India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia (three-under 69), Jyoti Randhawa (68 and Gaganjeet Bhullar (72) shared the 28th position after the second round of the $1 million Thailand Golf Championship here on Friday.
While former Asian Tour champion Randhawa jumped 34 places with the help of six birdies (second, fifth, eighth, 10th, 11th and 15th holes) against two bogeys (12th and 14th), Chawrasia too moved up 21 spots at the Amata Spring Country Club.
Bhullar, who was tied 12th on Thursday, slipped 16 places as he could not keep the momentum going after a round that witnessed five birdies and equal number of bogeys.
The trio got identical totals of three-under 141. One place and 10 spots behind them were Shiv Kapur (71) and Arjun Atwal (69). Rashid Khan scored one-over 73 to be tied 50th on 143 total.
S. Chikka, who was tied 12th with a 69, had a turbulent time in the second as he struggled for an 81. He, along with Shubhankar Sharma, Himmat Rai, Jeev Milkha Singh, Rahil Gangjee, Khalin Joshi and Chiragh Kumar missed the halfway cut that was decided at even-par 144.
Meanwhile, overnight leader Jamie Donaldson of Wales continued to set the pace with a 68. The Welshman compiled a two-day total of 13-under 131 to take a two-shot advantage over closest rival Martin Kaymer of Germany, who kept up his charge with a 65.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia also lived up to his billing as one of the pre-tournament favourites by signing for a 69 to stay within sights of Donaldson, trailing him by four shots together with Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil and England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick on 135 total in tied third place at the Asian Tour event.
Donaldson continued where he left off after the first day by maintaining his position atop the leaderboard on a day where temperatures soared to a high of 34 degree Celsius.
While it was unlike the flawless card he had signed for on the opening day, the 40-year-old still made his mark with a commanding performance that was highlighted by seven birdies and three bogeys.
