Thaindian News

Morocco, April 2 (IANS) Shiv Kapur and Jeev Milkha were one shot off the lead in tied third place after the second round of the Trophee Hassan II premier professional event in Morocco. The pair was at five-under 138 as the tournament is being played on two courses — Golf De L’Ocean (par 71) and Golf Du Palais Royal (par 72).

Just two shots separated the top 17 players in a packed leaderboard.

Kapur shot a five-under 67 in the first round and then managed an even par 71 as the field was split over the Golf De L’Ocean and Golf Du Palais Royal courses, in a pro-am format for the first two days.

Jeev, two-under on the first day, scored a second round three-under 68 to go to five-under for 36 holes.

Kapur had five birdies and five bogeys in second round, while Jeev had five birdies and two bogeys.

Reigning champion Rhys Davies moved into a share of the halfway lead with Joost Luiten as high winds led to a day of mixed scoring in the Moroccan city of Agadir.

Overnight leader Peter Lawrie came to grief in second round, as his first round 64 was followed by a five-over 76.

Davies was consistent with two birdies and a solitary bogey, but Luiten produced a more varied scorecard as the Dutchman double bogeyed both par threes on the front nine, dropped a shot at the ninth, but carded seven birdies in a 69 on the Golf De L’Ocean layout.

No fewer than nine players are one off the pace - most notably Finland’s Mikko Ilonen, who matched Lawrie’s course-record 64 at Palais Royal.