Chowrasia disqualified, Gangjee moves into top spot

Taipei, Sep 29 (UNI) It was a heartbreak for overnight leader S S P Chowrasia, who depsite firing a superb five-under 67, was disqualified even as compatriot Rahil Gangjee snatched the second round lead at the 500,000 dollar Mercuries Taiwan Masters today.

Asian tour rookie Chowrasia, who equalled the course record yesterday with a sensational eight-under card, found that just playing well was not enough and something seemingly innocuous as not signing the card in the evening might invite organisers ire and even a disqualification.

Chowrasia was too distraught to speak but the Indian golfers rallied themselves behind the fellow player.

''It is a big tragedy and all of us are feeling for him, even Rahil was trying to console him,'' said Gaurav Ghei.

Rahil Gangjee, who suddenly found himself leading the pack at the half-way mark after firing two-under-par 70 to aggregate a total of eight-under 136 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club, was also saddened by the disqualification.

''There is only one emotion I'm feeling now, sadness. I know how much this tournament meant for him,'' the leader said.

Gangjee started strongly on the back nine with a birdie at the 12th hole. He then dropped a shot at the 14th hole before firing a second birdie on the 17th hole. On the inward nine, he bogeyed the second hole but romped home with birdies at both the par five sixth and seventh holes.

Meanwhile, American Jason Knutzon also fired a 70 and took the sole second spot.

Among the other Indians in the fray, Amandeep Johl and Gaurav Ghei (both tied 21st), Shiv Kapur (tied 28th) and Digvijay Singh and Harmeet Kahlon (both tied 30th) made the cut.

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