Kapur leaps to tied 2nd in Avantha Masters

Gurgaon, Feb 18 (PTI) A short session with coach JamieGough in between his first and second rounds did the trick forShiv Kapur as he jumped to tied second in the Euros 1.8million Avantha Masters at the DLF Golf and Country Club heretoday.

After struggling though an even-par 72 in the firstround, he compiled a flawless 65, the best round of thetournament so far, to move into contention at seven-under 137at the midway stage of India''s biggest golfing event.

The second round of the Avantha Masters was stillincomplete on account of the Thursday''s three and a half hourdelay to which another 20 minutes were added today.

The clubhouse leader Rafael Cabrera-Bello of Spain played30 holes today to complete the first round in 67 and a secondround 69 to move to eight-under 136.

Kapur (72-65), Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat (70-67),Denmark''s Mark Haastrup (71-66) and England''s Robert Coles(70-67) were all tied at second at seven-under 137.

Jeev Milkha Singh was still on the course at six-underalongside defending champion Sweden''s Rikard Karlberg, whileThaworn Wiratchant (70-68) and Taipei''s Lu Wei-chih (70-68)had finished their rounds at six-under for 36 holes.

Kapur, who came to the club at the crack of dawn tocomplete the nine holes remaining from his first round, was atthe club till well past 3.30 pm after playing 27 holes.

But the struggle in the morning had disappeared and inits place was smooth golf, with both the driver and the putterdoing his bidding.

"The 30-minute break between the finish of the firstround and the start of the second round did a world of good.

We found something that helped me through the second round,"said Kapur, who finished fifth at the Johnnie Walker Classicthree years ago.

"In the morning I just could not find the fairways, butsomehow the wedges and putter saved my day. I could easilyhave been three or four over. But even par was nice," Kapuradded. .