Kapur returns to form, lies fifth at Gleneagles

Perthshire (Scotland), Aug 29 (Inditop.com) Indian golfer Shiv Kapur took a big step in his bid to secure the European Tour with a steady second round of two-under 70 that put him at five-under 139 at the halfway stage of the Johnnie Walker Championships at the Gleneagles Hotel golf course.

Kapur, who has struggled with his form and then injured his shoulder briefly, found the touch that made him one of the exciting prospects on Indian and Asian scene. Lying 127th on the European Order of Merit, he needs to be inside 115 to secure his card for 2010 and ensure that he plays the full Tour as he has since 2006.

Kapur’s compatriots, Jyoti Randhawa and S.S. Chowrasia, however missed the cut here Friday.

Kapur, who was sixth after the first round of 69, looked in danger of putting pressure on himself, as he dropped three shots on third and fourth holes with a bogey and double bogeys. With a birdie on first, he was then one-under. Steadying himself, he parred the next five holes.

A birdie on ninth ensured he turned in a good frame of mind. On the back nine, Kapur birdied 12th and 14th and then landed an eagle on 18th to go up to 70 for the day and sit fifth after 36 holes. The difference in his play was that he reached the greens in regulation regularly to give himself birdie chances.

Randhawa, one-under 71 in first round, slipped with a 76 in second and ended at three-over 147. Chowrasia (74 and 74) was four-over as the cut came at one-over.

Paul Lawrie, former British Open winner, moved to eight-under with another flawless round on Friday.

Lawrie, adding a 69 to his first round 67, leads by two from Northern Ireland rookie Jonathan Caldwell, Dutchman Maarten Lafeber and big hitting Argentinian Daniel Vancsik.

Lawrie’s playing partner Jose Maria Olazabal was impressed by his rival’s play. Olazabal is in a tie for fifth with Ryder Cup Dane Soren Hansen, Shiv Kapur and France’s Gregory Bourdy.