Sharma, who opened with a 73 on Thursday, followed it with a 72 to reach one-over 145 after 36 holes and was T-22 and comfortably made the weekend rounds at Trump International Golf Links.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The other Indian in the field Yuvraj Sandhu (75-79) missed the cut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Starting his second round from the first tee, Sharma opened with a birdie before dropping a shot at the fifth. He then delivered the highlight of his round at the par-three sixth, holing his tee shot for a sensational ace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian subsequently picked up birdies at the 12th and 13th, but his progress was checked by bogeys at the ninth, 11th, 15th and 16th. He eventually signed for a level-par 72.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The ace was particularly significant for Sharma, who has endured a difficult stretch on the DP World Tour. The weekend appearance gives the two-time DP World Tour winner an opportunity to build momentum and climb the leaderboard over the final 36 holes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At the top, England's Matthew Southgate took a one-stroke lead into the weekend after a second straight two-under 70 moved him to four-under for the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Southgate, who started the day three shots off the lead, negotiated the testing and windy conditions in Aberdeenshire with a disciplined round. He made a birdie at the 17th before dropping his only shot of the day at the sixth. A chip-in eagle at the seventh provided the decisive moment and lifted him into outright first.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At the top, England's Matthew Southgate took a one-stroke lead into the weekend after a second straight two-under 70 moved him to four-under for the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also tied second were Scotland's Scott Jamieson and overnight leader Marcus Kinhult.<\/p>\r\n\r\n