Jeev climbs to tied 20th, Kapur makes cut at Castello Masters

Castellon, Spain, Oct 25 (UNI) India's Jeev Milkha Singh notched up a bogey-free five-under 66 to climb to the tied 20th spot while Shiv Kumar managed to make the cut with a one-under 70 to remain even par at the halfway stage of the Castello Masters here.

Starting with a triple bogey in the first round, Jeev shot five birdies, three on the front nine and two on the back nine. He is now five-under 137 after the second round here yesterday.

The Orlando-based golfer, who was placed at 52nd after the first round, is now six behind the leading trio - Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Englishman Richard Finch and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.

The Indian pro, placed 10th on the European Money and winner of two titles this season, one each in Europe and Japan, birdied the first, fifth and eighth and then added two more birdies on 13th and 16th to finish the round at five-under 66.

Other Indian in fray, Shiv Kapur was just able to make the cut as he pulled back from one-over after 10 holes to finish the day at one-under 70 and was even par for two rounds.

He was tied 59th as 67 players made the weekend action.

However, Jyoti Randhawa was not able make the cut after carding a second straight 73. He ended the round at four-over 146, to be placed tied 92nd and will miss the Volvo Masters of Europe.

With six under par 65, Tournament favourite Garcia shared the lead at the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo, where he grew up and his father Victor is still the professional. He shot 11-under after his second round, making his level equal with Englishman Finch and Kjeldsen, who was the leader in the first-round.

Though Garcia suffered a shaky start with a bogey at the second hole, he used his local knowledge to good effect as he fired seven birdies thereafter.

Finch fired a few birdies on six succesive holes from the fifth on his way to a make a flawless 66, but that came to an abrupt halt at the par four 11th with a bogey, and dropped another shot at the last hole.

However, five players were on nine under, including Alvaro Quiros, last week's Portugal Masters champion, who continued his sizzling form with a 66, and Frenchman Francois Delamontagne, who needs a strong performance to finish in the top 115 and retain his European Tour card for next season.

Living up to expectations, Columbian Camilo Villegas hit a hole in one on the par three 12th to finish the round with a five under 66 to leave him six under.

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