Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Delhi boy Manav Jaini worked his way within one shot of the leading duo of South Korean Baek Seuk-Hyun and England’s Simon Griffiths at the halfway stage of the $1.25 million Hero Honda Indian Open here Friday.

The 20-year-old Baek, who has lived in Thailand for the past eight years, stunned even his father with a second round two-under-par 70 to tie Griffiths, who fired a superb 67, on six-under-par 138 at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC).

“My dad called me and he was so surprised that I played really good. When we played here early this year, I played so bad. He’s really happy. I’m happy,” said Baek, who has kept his driver in his hotel room.

Sharing the third place with India’s surprise package Jaini (69), were the Americans Anthony Kang (67), who has won many times in Asian, and rookie Ben Fox (69). With them is Sweden’s Richard Karlberg (69), who is chasing a second victory at the fabled Delhi venue after the SAIL Open earlier this year.

Among other Indians in fray, Mukesh Kumar shot a second straight 70 that put him as the second best Indian in tied seventh place.

Both Manav and Mukesh played in contrasting ways. While Manav used the driver liberally, Mukesh just kept in his bag and never used it even once.

“I’ve been playing well on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) this year and am looking to carry that form forward to this event. This is my home course and I know it pretty well. I think 10 under would be the winning score this week,” the 27-year-old Manav said.

“A positive mindset helps a lot at this venue. I used the driver on six holes today and made the fairway on each occasion except on the 14th. One of my best shots today came on the 18th, where I laid-up and then landed my lob wedge third shot from 80 yards within two feet to set up a birdie.”

Mukesh, probably the most successful Indian professional, who hails from the Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, has had the best finish of tied sixth in 2008. He seems to be ready to do better.

“My confidence soared after I converted an up and down from the bunker for par on the 11th. This was an excellent par save as my drive had landed in the rough on that hole. The putter was hot today. I made a tough downhill putt from 10 feet for birdie on the 18th and an uphill one from 25 feet for another birdie on the third,” he said.

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Namchok Tantipokakul returned a 70 and 72 respectively to be two off the pace while Arjun Atwal, the first Indian to win on the PGA Tour, moved ominously up the leaderboard with a 69, four back in the Hero Honda Indian Open, the joint richest full field event on the Asian Tour.

Paul McGinley, the Ryder Cup star, made the cut despite a 74 and he is now one-over 145.

India’s newest pro, Rashid Khan, the Asian Games silver medalist in team event, made the cut despite a horrible four hole from 14th to 17th, when he had three bogeys and one triple. He shared tied 47th place with veteran and two-time champion, Ali Sher (71-75).

Four other former champions, Thaworn Wiratchant (71-70), Arjun Atwal (73-69), Firoz Ali (71-71) and Vijay Kumar (72-73) made the cuts. The only former champion missing out was defending champion C Munyiappa, who had a severe back problem but played rounds of 80 and 75. Daniel Chopra with 76 missed the cut by two shots.