Atwal makes cut, Daniel Chopa falters in Barclays Classic

Harrison, New York, June 10 (UNI) Arjun Atwal finally broke the jinx and made the cut at the Barclays Classic even though Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra fell by the wayside at the Westchester Country Club here.

The Orlando-based Indian, who arrived here after missing four cuts in a row, was a hugely relieved man and now looks forward to the weekend to salvage some pride.

Life was not easy for Atwal in the second round and a hattrick of bogeys in his back nine threatened to derail his campaign. But in the end, an even-par round, featuring four bogeys and as many birdies, saw him just about finishing inside the cut line with a two-day total of one-over 143.

This has been a disappointing year for Atwal so far with just one top 10 finish and of the 16 events he played so far, including this one, he made cut in just six.

Last year, he had missed just one cut, which was better even than Tiger Woods.

Atwal's pal Daniel Chopra was not that lucky and the former Asian Tour regular missed the cut by just one shot after returning his second successive round of one-over 72.

Chopra slotted three birdies but dropped a shot each on the sixth and 17th and the double bogey on the seventh put paid to his hopes.

Vijay Singh, success-starved for nearly a year on the US Tour, fired a seven-under 64 to share the lead with Briton David Howell midway through the tournament with a two-day total of eight-under 134.

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