Jeev in joint lead at European Open

Jeev Milkha Singh joined the title race with a strong second round card of three-under 69 that propelled him into the joint lead of the European Open golf tournament in Kent.

On a day when gushing wind threw many a campaign into complete disarray, Jeev held his nerve to share the lead with Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera (69) with a total eight-under 136.

Jeev's birdies came on the first, fourth, fifth, 11th, 14th and 17th and he dropped one stroke each on the ninth, 16th and 18th holes.

"It was quite tough in the breeze. I think it was quite tough to judge the right club, and especially the distance on the back nine, especially on the breeze coming left to right and right to left," an elated Jeev later said.

"But I'm fortunate, I had a great chip in on number 17 -- wrong club off the tee but I got away with a birdie. That's a bonus. Eighteen was playing really tough, I hit a bad drive but got around the green, didn't make up and down, but I'm still happy with a 69. I think 69 in these conditions, I take any day," he added.

The other Indians in the fray, Shiv Kapur and Jyoti Randhawa were, however, unable to cope with the tough conditions and went over-par to drop down the title race.

While Randhawa carded a 73, Kapur was a stroke worse turning in a 74.

Randhawa was tied for the ninth spot with a total of five-under 139 after stumbling to four bogeys against three birdies.

Kapur, meanwhile, was tied 14th with a total of three-under 141.