Shiv Kapur tied 9th, Thongchai Jaidee takes second round lead in Jakarta

In a rather disappointing day for Indian golfers, Shiv Kapur managed to stay tied 9th at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters on Friday. While players like Sujjan Singh, who had started off well on Thursday, fell out of contention, Kapur held fort.

"I turned something out of nothing today. I really had nothing going. I was even par through 13 holes but then I just kicked into gear and birdied 14 and 15. It is just a reward for patience on a day where it was quite breezy. I didn't have much happening but I stayed patient and put myself back into the tournament.

"I have a solid eight or nine months now. I have a couple of wins in India so I obviously have a lot of confidence. If I can get within shouting distance then I can do some damage. The key is to put myself in position. Tomorrow is going to be an important day," said the 31-year old.

Rahil Gangjee was tied 13th while Anirban Lahiri, pre-tournament 'Indian' favourite, was tied at 20th.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee shot a flawless seven-under-par 65 to take the second round lead.

Seven birdies left him with a two-day total of 10-under-par 134, while Australia's Scott Barr trailed by two in second place after shooting his second successive 68, at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.

Australia's Wade Ormsby was in third position on 137, while reigning Open Championship winner Ernie Els shot 70 to take tied fourth place with Hung Chien-yao of Taiwan and Australians Kieran Pratt, Jake Higginbottom and Scott Hend.

Thongchai, who has four top 10s this season, wielded a hot putter as he continues his search for a 14th Asian Tour victory.

"My wife and two sons are here with me this week. My oldest son followed me for nine holes today but my youngest is at the hotel. I'm very happy with my family support," he said in an Asian Tour press release.

A top-three result at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club will push him inside the top 60 on the Official World Golf Rankings, giving him a strong chance to qualify for the U.S. Open next month.

Els endured an energy-sapping day but remained confident he was still in contention.

"Today was a bit of a jetlag day for me. I was trying to get some energy going. Hopefully I will have more energy tomorrow. I think my game is all there. I just need to get a bit sharper mentally," said the four-time Major champion.

"I just need to eliminate some really small mistakes. This is the type of course where you can get a little bit aggressive."

Scores after round 2: (par 72)

134 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 69-65

136 - Scott Barr (AUS) 68-68

137 - Wade Ormsby (AUS) 69-68

138 - Kieran Pratt (AUS) 70-68, Jake Higginbottom (AUS) 69-69, Hung Chien-yao (TPE) 70-68, Ernie Els (RSA) 68-70, Scott Hend (AUS) 66-72

139 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 71-68, Shiv Kapur (IND) 70-69, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 67-72, Daisuke Kataoka (JPN) 70-69

140 - Richard T. LEE (CAN) 72-68, Angelo QUE (PHI) 70-70, Unho PARK (AUS) 68-72, HWANG Inn-choon (KOR) 66-74, Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 72-68, Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 71-69, Ryan MCCARTHY (AUS) 70-70.

141 - Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 68-73, Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 72-69, Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 69-72, MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 72-69, Gunn CHAROENKUL (THA) 69-72, David LUTTERUS (AUS) 68-73.

(With AFP inputs)