Vijay Kumar makes first cut in BMW Asian Open
Ace Indian golfer Vijay Kumar, in only his first
season on the Davidoff Asian PGA Tour, put up an impressive showing by
making the cut at the $1.5 million BMW Asian Open.
The event, the richest on the Asian PGA Tour is being played at the par-72 Ta Shee Golf and Country
Club, in Taiwan.
The Cosmo Films-sponsored golfer shot a two-over 74 at the mid-way stage to tally one-over 145 for the
tournament.
The tournament is Vijay's fourth appearance on this season's Asian circuit. The stocky Lucknow pro, earned a two-year exemption on the Asian PGA Tour after a resounding win at the Indian Open at Delhi earlier this year.
Among the other Indian representatives, Arjun Singh was placed sixth on a
tally of six-under 138, while Jyoti Randhawa, currently placed second on the
APGA Tour Order of Merit, was tied for the 13th position at four-under 140.
Arjun Atwal was tied with Vijay in 62nd position at one-over 145.
Vijay Kumar, who shot a 71 yesterday, warmed up today with successive pars
before sinking a birdie on the third. A dropped shot on the ninth placed
him at even-par for the day at that stage. A birdie on the opening hole of
his return journey was, however, undone by a bogey on the 13th and an
unfortunate double bogey on the 15th.
"I played consistently today and could have finished better but for the
double bogey. However, making my first cut in my first season on the Asian
PGA Tour feels really great. I would like to keep doing well especially to
repay my sponsors Cosmo Films, especially Mr. Ashok Jaipuria, who has placed
tremendous faith in me by agreeing to bear my expenses to play this
prestigious Tour," said the 34-year old Vijay.
Arjun Singh, one of the coolest customers to have played the game this side
of the globe, started his day with three straight birdies with a bogey on
the fourth and another birdie on the 6th, placing him at three-under at the
lemon-break. His second bogey of the day on the 14th saw him return a card
of two-under 70.
Holland's Marten Lafeber leads the field. He followed up his
opening round 66 with a superb 62 today.
Four strokes behind the leader's tally of 12-under 132 are Ireland's Padraig Harrington and South Africa's Trevor Immelman, at eight-under apiece.
Yesterday's report
Jyoti Randhawa is sole leader
