Bhullar 6th at Kensville golf Challenge

Kapurthala golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar (71-70) was tied sixth along with Rahil Ganjee (72-69) on day two to grab the second position at the halfway stage of the Gujarat Kensville Challenge here on Friday. Shiv Kapur came up with a sedate one-under 71 to to grab the second position.

On a day, when India's star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar enthralled the spectators with his visit to the Kensville Golf Country Club, the golfing conditions were much tougher with strong wind and tricky pin positions.

Going out early in morning, Kapur, who had led at the halfway stage last year too, came back as the clubhouse leader, even as most of the field was still on the course. After his flawless five-under 67 on day one, he took his total to six-under but as the day wore on Andrew McArthur overtook him by two shots. Young guns S Chikkarangappa (74-73) and Shubhankar Sharma (75-72), who were making their pro debut this week were among those making the cut, alongside veterans Mukesh Kumar (73-71) and Ali Sher (73-73). The day belonged to McArthur who came back with a bogey free three-under 69 to take a two-shot lead. The 32-year-old Scotsman, with one Challenge Tour win dating back to 2008 against his name, is now eight-under 136 for two rounds and and three ahead of overnight leader Spain's Agustin Domingo (73), Dutchman Tim Sluiter (69) and another Scot Booth Wallace (71).

The 30-year-old Kapur, who narrowly missed keeping his European Tour card, but will still get around a dozen starts in 2013, started strongly from the 10th.He had birdies at the 12th and 14th holes but came unstuck with a bogey at the par five 17th to reach the turn in one-under. He picked up a shot at the third hole before missing the green on the par-three eighth hole and failing to get up and down for par to finish with a 71. Wiping the sweat of his forehead on a rather warm day, Kapur wistfully added: "I had a chance to pull away from the field but I'm still right there." "I did not really have my A game today," said Kapur. "I didn't play as well as I did on the first day. It was a bit scrappy and didn't hit it as close and made some soft bogeys. It (the round) was blemish free until the 17th and I was playing steady but nothing flashy. It was one of those days where I had to make the best of what I had."

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