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Atwal decelerates in Chrysler

Arjun Atwal slipped in the second round when he shot a one-over-par 73 at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro on Friday.

After a strong 67 in the opening day, the 33-year-old Indian talent struggled to keep pace and dropped down to joint 28th spot when he shot two birdies against three bogeys. Defending champion Choi Kyung-ju carded a similar score and was also in tied 28th position with a two-day total of four-under-par 140.

Starting on the back nine, Atwal dropped a shot at the 12th hole but replied through a birdie at the 13th hole before stumbling with a second bogey at the 16th hole. He then birdied the fourth hole but dropped a shot in the closing stages at the eighth hole.

Atwal, who is currently ranked 143rd on the US money list, is gunning to finish in the top-125 to book his card for next season.

Choi, who also started from the 10th tee, sustained a steady run with a birdie at the 15th hole against a bogey on the par four 18th hole. He fired an eagle at the par five second hole for the second consecutive day but endured a poor finish with bogeys on the third, fourth and seventh holes.

Former Asian Tour regular Daniel Chopra of Sweden stumbled to a 74 as he was in tied 56th place. American Nick Watney shot a 71 and took the sole lead in the second round.

On the Nationwide Tour, Korea’s Kevin Na extended his lead at the Mark Christopher Charity Classic when he fired a 66 on Friday.

The Seoul-born Na blasted six birdies against a lone bogey and was six strokes ahead of the field after a two-day total of 14-under-par 128. He had previously equaled the course record of 62 set by Steve Haskins (2001) at the Empire Lakes Golf Course in the first round.

Australia’s youngster Andrew Buckle, who is ranked 17th on the Nationwide Tour money list, strengthened his chances for a spot next season after a 68 in joint 55th spot. Only the top-20 will book their card for next year.

After a 76 in the opening day, compatriot Jarrod Lyle missed the cut despite a strong 66 and it was similar for Korea’s Charlie Wi who was even-par for the day.

On the European Tour, Englishman Simon Dyson remained in the hunt after a 68 in joint fourth place in the second round at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. He was three strokes behind leader Bradley Dredge who carded a 67 to a two-day total of 12-under-par 131.

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee was in joint 58th position after a 70 while India’s Shiv Kapur was even-par for the day in tied 118th spot. Scott Strange of Australia scored a 70 in 129th place alongside compatriot Terry Pilkadaris who carded a 72. India’s Jyoti Randhawa also shot a 72 and was in joint 156th spot.

Octiber 7, 2006