Shamim retains lead at Nepal Masters

Kathmandu, Jun 5 (UNI) Shamim Khan's hot putter spoke once again as he fired eight birdies to sign a bogey-free card of 64 for a two-day total of 18-under 126 after the second round of the Surya Nepal Masters at the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort here today.

The diminutive golfer from India was a clear seven-shot ahead of second placed compatriot Gurbaaz Mann who added a 68 to his overnight 65.

Shamim began from where he left in the first round. Not even the torrential rain could stop his march to another superb round and while they were other scores of note it only meant a further gap being created as he found another 17 greens in regulation and maintained his rhythm, unperturbed by the playing conditions.

Making a birdie on the opening hole, sinking a 30-footer, Shamim made four more birdies on his front nine- third, fifth, sixth and seventh.

As many as 53 professionals including 10 Nepalese pros made it to the money making rounds after the cut was applied at 10-over 144.

Former Indian Open winner Vijay Kumar was lying third at 10-under 134 after shooting a fine 7-under par 67 in the second round.

Sri Lankan Anura Rohana was fourth at 137 while Vinod Kumar was fifth at 138.

Amardip Malik and Sujjan Singh shared the sixth position while Kunal Balhara, Harinder Gupta and Chirag Kumar were tied for the eighth position at 140.

Nepal's newest sensation Shiva Ram Shrestha was the best amongst the Nepalese pros at 143. Sachin Battarai was tied for the 15th position at 145.

Meanwhile, in the International Amateur event, Bangladesh continued to lead with its amateurs Shahid and Shekhawat Hussein aggregating a total of 291 while Nepal A' were second at 299.

India were lying third at 303 while Sri Lanka was fourth at 315.

Top Scores after 36 holes: 126 Shamim Khan (62, 64); 133 Gurbaaz Mann (65, 68); 134 Vijay Kumar (69, 65); 137 Anura Rohana (68, 69); 138 Vinod Kumar (68, 70); 139 Amardip Malik (72, 67), Sujjan Singh (71, 68); 140 Kunal Balhara (69, 71), Harinder Gupta (70, 70), Chirag Kumar (69, 71); 141 Siddikur Rahman (71, 70); 143 Sanjay Kumar (73, 70), Shiv Ram Shrestha (71, 72), Ranjit Singh (71, 72) UNI XC RKM AB UCS2035