On yet another day dominated by under par scores at the DDA Open Golf Championship 2005, Kolkata's Rafique Ali led the field with a total of 15 under 125 after 36 holes.
The event, which forms the 18th leg of the Amby Valley PGAI Tour is being played at the par-70, Qutab Golf Course, the first and the only public golf course in the country.
The day was witness to a new landmark being created in Indian golf as an under-par cut was applied for the first time ever on the Indian Tour.
Trailing Rafique by a stroke was city-mate Yusuf Ali and Bangalore pro C. Muniyappa who submitted identical cards of six under 64 to tally 14 under 126 at the end of the second day's play. Current money list leader on the Amby Valley PGAI Tour 2004-05 Mukesh Kumar, along with Ashok Kumar and amateur Vikrant Chopra, was tied for third spot with a score of 12 under 128.
Rafique Ali, who claimed the Patna Open title earlier this season, is all set to take home his second winner's cheque as it is evident with the form he is currently playing in. Today he submitted a card of six under 64 after firing a 61 in the first round.
He made birdies on the third, seventh, eighth, 11th, 15th, and 18th holes along with a bogey on the 14th.
"I putted really badly today. I missed an eagle on the 11th hole and a two-foot putt on the 16th hole, which affected my score for the day," said the Kolkata pro.
"The course is playing well but the wind is causing a little difficulty," added the 36-year old.
A total of 60 golfers including three amateurs have qualified for the third round as the cut was applied at two under 138. Among the big names to miss the cut were Chandigarh-based pros Ranjit Singh and Randhir Singh Gothra along with Rohtas Singh and Bangalore-based pro Rahul Ganapathy.
Asian Tour regular Gaurav Ghei withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons. Meanwhile Vikrant Chopra maintained his lead amongst amateurs as he finished his 36 holes with a score of 12 under 128.
Top Scores (After 36 Holes): 125_RafickAli (61,64);126_C. Muniyappa (62,64), Yusuf Ali (62,64); 128_Mukesh Kumar (64,64), Vikrant Chopra(A) (64,64), Ashok Kumar (63,65); 129_PS Guleria (66,63), Vishal Singh (65,64); 130_SSPChaurasia (65,65); 131_Naman Dawar (67,64), Rajiv Niranjan (66,65).
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