Atwal stays ahead of chasing pack

India's Arjun Atwal stayed just ahead of the chasing pack after the second round of the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur after shooting a 2-under-par 70 for a one-stroke lead at the halfway point.

Atwal collected four birdies but bogeyed the 428-yard par-four last hole to slip back to 9-under-par, one shot clear of South African Nico Van Rensburg, with Irishman Padraig Harrington, Zhian Lian-Wei of China and Denmark's Stephen Tinning a shot further back.

Indian Open champion Atwal could even have been further ahead after three birdies took him to 10-under-par through the 13th hole. However, the humid conditions eventual wore him down on the back nine as he slipped back to 9-under-par and the narrowest of leads.

The pressure on the 25-year-old is sure to hot up over the next two days, not that he seemed to be showing any signs of wear and tear after finishing his round. ``I didn't feel any extra pressure on me,'' he said. ``I just want to keep playing within myself for the next two days.''

Best round of the day came from Van Rensburg, who carded a 7-under-par 65 to leap into contention, while Harrington was a shot further back on 7-under-par after adding a 69 to his opening 68.

The European Ryder Cup player coped well in the humidity, testament to his new and improved fitness regime, a routine aided by his father.

``My father was concerned about me suffering from burn-out and fatigue. He was a top class Gaelic footballer so he's well aware of the pressures of trying to play well all year,'' he said.

One player who'll need a good third round on Saturday to get back into contention is Bernhard Langer, who shot a 1-under-par 71 to be level par for the tournament, nine shots off the pace.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page