Chowrasia, Vijay in joint lead at the Hero Honda Indian Open

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) SSP Chowrasia returned the day's best card of five-under 65 as he jumped to the joint lead with overnight leader Vijay Kumar (68) in the second round of the 400,000 dollar Hero Honda Indian Open here today.

Chowrasia shared the day's honours with Australian Unho Park, who also carded a 65 before darkness led to suspension of play.

Chowrasia and Vijay have a total of 10-under 134 and are followed a shot behind by Park. Chowrasia, who was tied for the 12th spot yesterday, had a blemish-free outing and sank in five birdies and a first-hole eagle to make the leap.

Vijay also put up a bogey-free performance and fired four birdies to stay at the top.

Hot favourite Symon Dyson of England was at the tied third spot with a total of nine-under 135 after two rounds.

The day, however, belonged to Chowrasia, who could not have asked for a better start as he struck an eagle on the very first hole and didn't lose the momentum throughout to be the joint top performer in the second round.

Jyoti Randhawa, meanwhile, also continued his fine form and returned a 69 to break into the top-10 at the tied fifth spot. The seasoned Indian started off with a bogey on the fourth hole but got his act together soon after to fire six birdies to shoot up the leaderboard.

Rahil Gangjee was another Indian to put up a fine show as he mixed seven birdies with a lone bogey on the fifth for a card of 66.

Gangjee, who had to complete six holes of the previous round as well showed little signs of fatigue and started his second round within half-an-hour of completing his first.

Gangjee with a two-round total of seven-under 137 occupies the joint seventh position.

''I didn't even feel (the fatigue of playing 24 holes) it. I guess ypou don't feel it when you are playing well,'' he said after his round.

''This is probably my best rounds at the Delhi Golf Club,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Shiv Kapur put behind his opening round disappointment to card an impressive 67 and jump to the tied 26th spot with a total of three-under 141. The talented Indian could have done better but for the two dropped shots on the 14th and 15th.

Shiv had a bogey-free front nine studded with three birdies and was going along smoothly in the back nine, which included a 14th hole eagle, before the two misses which cost him a better finish.

Among the other Indians Gaurav Ghei (68) was tied for the 15th spot with a total of 139. Amateur Chirag Kumar (69) shared the 10th position with six-under 138.

Overnight joint leader Simon Dunn of Scotland slumped to tied 37th after a nightmarish 77 in the second round.

UNI PM PDS BD1942