Stockholm, Aug 16 (IANS) Indo-Swede golfer Daniel Chopra charged into contention at the SAS Masters in his home country with a second round 64 that brought him to tied fifth at the midway stage. Chopra is five-under 135 and just three shots off the leader Nick Dougherty of England (66) and Peter Hanson (66) Friday.

Chopra has a chance of making the European Ryder Cup team and this is what he is aiming for. A good result here would go a long way in achieving that goal.

Chopra, who was way behind in 51st place after a first round of 71, had four birdies against no bogeys on the front nine, which he played in 34. On the back nine, he added a birdie on 12th and then landed an eagle on par-5 15 to go seven-under. But a closing bogey on 18th dropped him to six-under 64 for a four-way tie.

Dougherty and Hanson lead with a two-day total of 132.

Ryder Cup hopeful Dougherty produced a sparkling finish to regain a share of the lead going into the weekend. The 26-year-old from England birdied three of the last four holes for a second successive 66 at Arlandastad and goes into the weekend alongside Swede Peter Hanson on eight under par.

Dougherty, leader of The Ryder Cup points table last October, has fallen to 15th since the death of his mother, but has been determined to play with a smile on his face this week. So far it is working wonders.

They are two ahead of Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Swede Patrik Sjoland, with former Ryder Cup pair Paul Broadhurst and Peter Baker, Scot Gary Orr and Chopra, one further back.

South Africa’s Anton Haig, winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic last season, slipped back to tied 58th place after a 72 while Scott Barr and Terry Pilkadaris missed the halfway cut after rounds of 74 and 76 respectively.