Mercuries Taiwan Masters - Round 2: Gangjee grabs lead, Chowrasia disqualified

India's Rahil Gangjee snatched the second round lead at the US$500,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters on a day when compatriot and overnight leader S.S.P Chowrasia was disqualified for not signing his scorecard.

Gangjee continued his recent steady form when he shot a two-under-par 70 for a two-day total of eight-under-par 136 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Chowrasia, who had equaled the course record 64 on Thursday, came home with a 67 before he was unfortunately disqualified by local organisers for failing to sign his scorecard.

The Asian Tour rookie was too distraught to speak to the media but Gaurav Ghei, who was in joint 21st position, said: “It is his first year on Tour and he hasn’t missed a cut. This week would have been great and he would have definitely finished in the top-three and mostly likely won it with the way he was playing.

"It is a big tragedy and all of us are feeling for him, even Rahil was trying to console him,” said Ghei.

Gangjee, who frequently played golf with Chowrasia back home in India, was also saddened by the disqualification.

“There is only one emotion I’m feeling now, sadness. I know how much this tournament meant for him. We played so much golf together for the last six to eight years as we are from the same city,” said Gangjee, who resides in Calcutta.

“My round was pretty normal. I was one under on the back nine and one under on the front nine. I missed an eagle chip on the seventh hole where the ball stopped an inch short. Overall I did not hit it as great as I thought I would. Hopefully tomorrow I can be relaxed and comfortable,” he added.

Gangjee started strongly on the back nine with a birdie at the 12th hole. He then dropped a shot at the 14th hole before firing a second birdie on the 17th hole. On the inward nine, he bogeyed the second hole but romped home with birdies at both the par five sixth and seventh holes.

American Jason Knutzon also fired a 70 and took sole second spot. Korean Ted Oh carded a 68 and was in joint third place together with American Bryan Saltus who scored his second consecutive 69.

Knutzon, who won the 2004 Macau Open, is enjoying a decent run recently finishing in the top-10 at the Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters last month. Continuing the momentum at the Tamsui Course, the American conquered the par fives with birdies at the sixth, 13th and 15th holes before dropping a shot coming in at the 17th hole.

“I didn’t hit my irons quite as well but I was putting better than yesterday,” said Knutzon.

“I had three birdies on the par fives and made one bogey on the 17th hole coming in. I was just pretty steady today.

“I want to keep give myself chances for birdies. The main thing here is to hit a lot of greens. If you’re putting for par a lot, you’re going to be in trouble,” he added.

Chung chun-hsing, who has won 14 professional titles in domestic competitions, had the support of his home fans as he carded two birdies against a lone bogey for a 71 in fifth spot.

“I was not putting well today and missed quite a few birdies opportunities but thankfully I was driving it on target,” said the 51-year-old talent.

“I am among the senior players here and have learnt to cope with the pressure so I hope to produce a strong result here,” he added.

Leading second round scores
136 - Rahil Gangjee (IND) 66-70
137 - Jason Knutzon (USA) 67-70
138 - Ted Oh (KOR) 70-68, Bryan Saltus (USA) 69-69
139 - Chung Chun-hsing (TPE) 68-71
140 - Hong Chia-yuh (TPE) 73-67, Gavin Flint (AUS) 70-70, Gerald Rosales (PHI) 70-70
141 - Danny Chia (MAS) 69-72, Yeh Wei-tze (TPE) 71-70, Simon Nash (AUS) 69-72
Adam Blyth (AUS) 66-75, Rick Gibson (CAN) 71-70
142 - Adam Groom (AUS) 73-69, Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 70-72, Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 70-72, Richard Lee (NZL) 69-73, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 74-68, Hsieh Tung-shu (TPE) 74-68, Park Jun-won (KOR) 70-72

September 29, 2006

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