Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, matched Manu Gandas' course record of nine-under 63 from round one to gain three spots and zoom into a two-shot lead at a total of 15-under 129 after round two of the inaugural Vooty Masters, here on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gurugram-based Manu Gandas, the first-round leader, slipped into second place at 13-under 131 after posting a 68 on day two of the Rs. 1 crore event being played at the Vooty Golf County here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandigarh's Angad Cheema (67), who was overnight tied second, ended the second round in third place at 12-under 132.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The cut came down at one-under 143. Fifty professionals and one amateur made the cut to make it to the money rounds over the weekend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Om Prakash Chouhan (66-63) had early jitters as he saved par from the bunker on the 10th, his first hole of the day. The 36-year-old, who is a seven-time winner on the PGTI, then made his first move of the day with a 15-feet eagle conversion on the 12th.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chouhan built on the momentum with his birdie on the 15th where he drove the par-4 green. Another good par save from the bunker followed on the 16th before he picked up a birdie on the 18th.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chouhan, a winner on the PGTI this year and currently placed sixth on the PGTI Order of Merit, enjoyed an even better back-nine picking up five birdies including three where he made some terrific ups and downs from the bunker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chouhan said, "Every aspect of my game was sharper today as compared to round one, especially my second shots and bunker shots. I changed my driver and 3-wood last week as I felt that I wasn't hitting it that well. The new clubs have helped me improve both my distance and accuracy off the tee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I felt the rhythm after the good par-save on the 10th. Then the 15-foot eagle conversion on the 12th got my putter going. This is a new golf course for all the players including myself so I utilised the practice round and the Pro-Am round before the event really well. That eventually helped me a lot in planning my game."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Manu Gandas (63-68), who set the course record of 63 on day one, had an off day with his approach shots despite putting together six birdies in exchange for a double-bogey. The double-bogey on the 16th in the first half of Manu Gandas' round altered the momentum for him after he had picked up two birdies on his first six holes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Noida's Gaurav Pratap Singh (65) was placed fourth at 10-under 134. PGTI Order of Merit leader and the five-time winner this season Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (71), was tied 12th at six-under 138.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ajeetesh Sandhu (69), one of the pre-event favourites, was tied 17th at five-under 139.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fifteen-year-old Noida-based player Aarav D Shah, an Australian national, was the lone amateur to make the cut as he totalled one under 143 to be tied 40th.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ajeetesh Sandhu (69), one of the pre-event favourites, was tied 17th at five-under 139.<\/p>\r\n\r\n