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Journalism of Courage
The most oft-repeated story on the Hero Honda Indan Golf Tour was scripted once again by Mukesh Kumar when he shot his second successive four-under 67 to open a four-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Hero Honda Open Wwst at Pune today.
Mukesh, who is looking forward to a 11th record-equalling title victory this season, was eight-under 134. Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowsaria, who has finished runner-up in this tournament for the past two years, jumped into contention with a four-under 67, which helped him to tied second place at four-under 138 along with Amandeep Johl. John added a one-under 70 to his overnight three-under 68.
Overnight leader Vivek Bhandari was completely off-colour in the front nine and was six-over by the time he finished eight holes. He finished with a five-over 76 to fall back to tied 14th place at one-over 143. Defending champion Feroz Ali shot a four-over 75 to fall back to tied 12th place.
The cut was applied at nine-over 151 and 53 professionals made it to the final two rounds.
Dinesh Raghuvanshi, eler brother of Mukesh Kumar, made a hole-in-one on the par-3 fourth hole. Amateur Jaideep Patwardhan shot a superb round of three-under 68 that pushed him to tied fourth place overall at two-under 140. Sachin Nigade was also in the top-ten with a round of level-par 71.
Randhawa to lead Asian challenge in Dubai Classic
Dubai: India’s Asian PGA Order of Merit leader Jyoti Randhawa will lead a seven-strong pool of players from the booming Asian Tour when the Dubai Desert Classic 2003 gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club here on March 6.
Following the historic victory by China’s Zhang Lian Wei in the Singapore Masters recently, the profile of Asian golf has never been higher. And with big guns Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in their sights, a host of Asian stars will be out to underline the new confidence in the $1.2 million Dubai Desert Classic.
Led by new Asian PGA Tour No.1 Randhawa, the magnificent seven will include established favourite and a regular visitor Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Indian Arjun Atwal, Korean teenager Kevin Na and Thailand’s Thammanoon Srirot, organisers said here yesterday.
Making up the top seven on last year’s Asian Tour and guaranteeing an invite to the Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) sponsored event are Anthony Kang of Korea, Simon Yates of Scotland and American Andrew Pitts.
