Atwal finally makes the cut, Chopra tied 2nd at John Deere Classic

Silvis, Illinois, July 15 (UNI) After weeks of disappointment, Arjun Atwal finally managed to make the cut in a USPGA event as he carded a four-under 67 to improve to the tied 39th position, while Daniel Chopra (69) slipped one spot to be tied second at the halfway mark of the four million dollar John Deere Classic here.

The Orlando-based Indian played his best golf in several weeks as he fired six birdies against just two bogeys to shoot up the leaderboard with a two-day total of four-under 138 after the second round.

Desperate to remain in contention after dropping out on several previous events -- including last week's five million dollar Cialis Western Open -- Atwal started his back nine first and fired two back-to-back birdies followed by another on the 14th and the only blemish on this sparkling show was a dropped shot on the 16th.

He, however, recovered to gain a shot on the 17th and stood three-under at the halfway mark.

His front-nine also started with a bang as he fired two birdies between the first and fifth hole but a dropped shot on the sixth meant that he had to be content with the tied 39th position.

Meanwhile, Daniel Chopra had an eventful round in which he fired five birdies and three bogeys to drop to the tied second spot with a two-day total of nine-under 133, a shot behind leader Joe Ogilivie of America.

Chopra remains a contender for the title but would have to be consistent with his performance and avoid a repeat of last week's dramatic turnaround of fortunes when he finished tied 30th despite being the leader after two rounds.

In another interesting development, 16-year-old sensation Michelle Wie had to be treated for heat exhaustion at a local hospital following her withdrawal after playing nine holes. The local teen had to be taken in an ambulance.

''Michelle Wie became ill today during the beginning of her second round of the John Deere Classic. She suffered a number of different symptoms, including stomach pains, nausea, dizziness, and breathing problems which worsened as the round continued. After the ninth hole, Michelle regrettably withdrew from the tournament,'' Wie's agent, Ross Berlin, said in a statement.

The schoolgirl, having failed in her attempt to make the cut at the event, was treated at the Emergency Room of the Genesis Medical Center.

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