July 06, 2019: India’s Arjun Atwal remained in contention for his second PGA TOUR title after he signed for a bogey-free three-under-par 68 to trail leader Bryson DeChambeau by five shots in tied-seventh place at the halfway stage of the 3M Open on Friday.
Atwal, an eight-time Asian Tour winner, rode on his fine form to return with a flawless card highlighted by three birdies at the TPC Twin Cities, where he had shot a course-record 62 in the Monday qualifier to earn his place in the event before going on to post an opening 65.
The 46-year-old Indian hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation and enjoyed a great day on the greens where he did not miss any putts within 10 feet. Atwal would end his day on nine-under-par 133 total at the PGA TOUR event.
Atwal’s 155 yard approach to 13 feet set himself up for the birdie on the par-four 15th hole. He reached the green in three and sunk a 17-foot putt for his second birdie of the day on the 596-yard par-five 18th hole.
On the 381-yard par-four seventh hole, Atwal found the green in 2 and sunk a 29-foot putt for birdie. This moved Atwal to three-under for the round.
India’s Anirban Lahiri followed up his opening 71 with a solid 67 to progress into the weekend rounds as he grabbed a share of 55th position on 138.
Over in Ireland, Malaysia’s Gavin Green slipped from tied-10th to tied-38th place after signing for a second-round two-over-par 72 at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
South African Justin Harding and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India were among those who missed the halfway cut set at one-under-par 139 at the Lahinch Golf Club.
Three players who finish in the top ten and ties at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open who are not already exempt will earn places in The 148th Open at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.
Asian Tour Release
