Shubhankar, Bhullar climb to tied-third

Dhaka, February 11 (PTI)

The Indian trio of Shubhankar Sharma, S Chikkarangappa and Gaganjeet Bhullar climbed up to tied-third after Round 2 of the $300,000 Bangladesh Open here today.

At nine-under 133, Sharma (66-68), Chikkarangappa (68-66), Bhullar (67-67) are two shots behind leader Thitiphun Chuayprakong. The Thai shot a 66 to total 11-under 131. First-round leader Lee Soomin (64-69) is sole second.

Rahil Gangjee (69-67) and Rahul Bajaj (67-69) are tied-10th at six-under 136.

The other Indians making the cut are Abhijit Chadha (72 -67), lying at tied-27th, Sujjan Singh (71-70) and Shankar Das (71- 70) at tied-43rd, and Khalin Joshi (70-72) and Amardip Malik (74-68) at tied-53rd.

Abhinav Lohan, Honey Baisoya and Ashok Kumar missed the cut. A total of 70 players made the halfway cut, which was set at one-over.

Chikka made four birdies, including a 25-footer on the 18th, and an eagle on the 14th. He dropped just one shot.

“I was playing alright on the front nine. I stumbled with a bogey on the 10th and I didn't hit a good drive on the 11th. The turning point came on the 12th where I holed a 15-footer for birdie and then made a second straight birdie on the 13th before chipping in for an eagle on 14th,” said the 22-year-old Chikka.

Sharma marred his otherwise perfect card with a double-bogey on the 12th but was still delighted to put himself in contention for a maiden win on the Asian Tour.

“I played better yesterday but today was good too. I got off to a good start with a birdie on the 10th. After the double-bogey I just told myself to forget about it and move on,” said the 19-year-old Sharma.