Thaindian News

By V. Krishnaswamy
Shenzhen (China), Nov 27 (IANS) Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa combined superbly to birdie each of the five par-fives and bring home a four-under 68 that kept them in the hunt for a finish in top-five of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup golf at the Jose Olazabal course here Friday.

On the course which has five each of par-fives and par-threes on the par-72 layout besides the usual eight par fours, the Indian pair, who were unable to play a practice round together because of a delay in Randhawa’s visa, are now nine-under for two days and in tied seventh place.

It was a considerable move up from overnight tied 15th by the two players, who promised that they would not apologise to the other for any bad shot.

The Indians are still nine shots behind the runaway leaders, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, who followed up their sensational 58 on the first day with a 68 on the second to go 18-under. The Irish duo is three shots clear of defending champions, Sweden, for whom Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson are doing duty once again.

The Indians mirrored their first round card for the first seven holes — a bogey on second was followed by birdies on par-5 third and seventh.

Another birdie on par-5 ninth meant they turned in three-under. On the back nine, they found another birdie on 11th, but dropped shots on 12th and 14th. Just when it seemed they might fall back, they struck a purple patch with three birdies in last four holes for a 68.

Interestingly, the Swedes have not dropped a single bogey in 36 holes and have missed a birdie on just one par-five over two days. The leaders, Ireland, have on the other hand had a mixed bag with five birdies, an eagle, a bogey and a double bogey in their 68 on second day.

“We’re pretty pleased with the way we played today. We combined really well. We left a few shots out there but that’s part of the game. We played the par-fives really well, making birdies on all of them.

“We’re going all out tomorrow when we revert to the fourballs as I think both of us are playing really well and we are looking forward to a low one tomorrow,” said Jeev.

Jyoti, who later indulged in some watch-making at the Omega marquees, added: “As Jeev said, we combined really well. We made a few putts coming in and that changed a lot of things. I was a little jetlagged yesterday but now I’m back to swinging the club well so we should get a low number tomorrow.”

On Randhawa arriving late and them not being able to practice together, Jeev said: “That’s all right. He called and told me he would be on the tee and he was. That’s what matters. He is a solid player with a lot of experience, so that’s fine.”

“We have to play well in foursomes and make sure you don’t leave a bad ball, but we have told each other that there’s going to be no sorries. We want to enjoy and play well,” said Jeev of the tricky foursomes format the third round will see.

On plans for the third round, Jeev said: “We need a low one tomorrow and we could be in the mix.”

McIlroy and McDowell were not in the same sizzling form that saw them card 58 in the opening fourballs but an outward 32, including an eagle at the seventh, ensured they kept their advantage by reaching 18-under.

Karlsson and Stenson signed for a seven under par 65 after their first round 68 and they have been flawless so far.

The Molinari brothers Francesco and Edoardo, from Italy, are a shot further back on 14.

After fourballs on the first day, the field played as foursomes — alternate shots — on the second day and will be back to fourballs on the third day and then revert to foursomes on the final day.