Kapur tied-8, Shubhankar misses cut

Jakarta, December 14

Shiv Kapur holed six birdies in his first 10 holes to return a card of a 6-under 66 for a share of tied-8th after the second round but Shubhankar Sharma missed the cut at the Indonesian Masters.

Kapur (71-66) gave himself a chance to make a charge over the week after totalling a 7-under 137, seven shots behind the leaders. Poom Saksansin, the winner here in 2016, had six birdies on the front nine and added three more in the last four holes to get to 14-under, three clear of compatriots Suradit Yongcharoenchai (66) and Jakraphan Premsirigorn (65).

Justin Rose (68-68), who can rise to world No. 1 this week if he finishes inside the top-16, is lying tied-5h six strokes behind the leader, while Henrik Stenson (67-68), the 2016 Open winner, was sole fourth. 

Sharma, who will be officially crowned Asia No. 1 on Sunday, had a birdie on his final hole of the season, though he missed the cut. “That was disappointing to miss the weekend, but the year has been great,” said the 22-year-old. “I am getting ready for 2019 and it will be another busy year.”

Talking about his round, the 36-year-old Kapur said: “It is not often that you shoot 6-under and still find yourself going further back.”

Anirban Lahiri, a winner here in 2014, missed a whole bunch of makeable putts during his card of 72. SSP Chawrasia carded a 70 to lie tied-26th. Arjun Atwal (71-74) and Aman Raj (72-73) were one-over. Jeev Milkha Singh (71-75), Udayan Mane (4-over for the tournament with four to play), Ajeetesh Sandhu (73-76) and Honey Baisoya (73-81) missed the cut. Gaganjeet Bhullar had pulled out before the first round due to an injury. — PTI