Russian Open

Gaganjeet Bhullar enjoyed another good day at the Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club, a picturesque forest course, 42km North of Moscow. The Indian was six under through 36 holes, lying five off David Horsey who retained a two shot lead heading into the weekend at the M2M Russian Open. SSP Chowrasia, reeling from a 76 in the first round, produced a far more composed 70 to survive the cut.

Thomas Pieters matched Horsey with a 68 to climb into second place at 9-under. Peter Whiteford (71) and Gary Boyd (68) are both at minus-7, sharing third. Four men are tied in fifth – Scott Jamieson (72), Nacho Elvira (69), Maximilian Kieffer (71) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (71) are tied at 6-under 138.

Bhullar gained the first shot of the round when he made three at the par-4 ninth hole. But the 26 year old gave it straight back to the course when he stumbled to a bogey at the par-4 tenth hole.

The 286^th ranked golfer signed off with a 71 after compensating with a birdie at the par-5 fifteenth to get past the halfway mark with the score reading 138, a margin of six on the course.

Chowrasia was in dire risk of missing the cut, but produced a two-under round – including birdies at the 15^th and 17^th to recover to two over. With the cut at 3-over, the 365^th ranked golfer just about save his head and remain relevant for the weekend.

Horsey, the 29-year-old Englishman produced a brilliant 68 to add to his 65 on Thursday. At 11-under 133, Horsey enjoys a two shot cushion over Pieters and four over Whiteford and Boyd.

Horsey courted early trouble when he gave away a couple of shots in the first four holes. But he composed himself to steady the boat, before firing four birdies in the final six holes to retain control of the lead.

The best effort of round two came from Sam Hutsby. The 25 year old took 37 to get through the front nine, but caught fire in spectacular fashion to soar 34 places into the top 10.

Hutsby made a 67, despite three bogeys on the outward nine. The 529^th ranked player made 30 on his way to the clubhouse, including four straight birdies and six out of nine for a halfway score of 139.

Report by Anand Datla

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