Chiragh shoots 68, moves into Top-10 with Rashid Khan; Hend leads

Chiragh Kumar fired a second straight four-under 68 to get to eight-under 136 and Tied-ninth at the midway stage of the True Thailand Classic presented by Chang on Friday. Chiragh, whose first won on the Asian Tour came at his home course, Delhi Golf Club last year, had fellow Indian Rashid Khan (66) for company at the same position.

Himmat Rai (70-72) was Tied-34th, while Jeev Milkha Singh (72-68), Gaganjeet Bhullar (72-68) and Arjun Atwal (68-72) were all tied at 49th. SSP Chawrasia (68-76) and Shiv Kapur (72-74) missed the halfway cut.

Big-hitting Scott Hend equalled the course record of eight-under-par 64 to earn a share of the halfway lead with Sweden’s Pelle Edberg at the True Thailand Classic presented by Chang on Friday.

While Chiragh had six birdies against two bogeys, Rashid Khan, a two-time winner, had seven birdies against one bogey. Both Chiragh and Rashid are from the Delhi Golf Club, where they play the Hero Indian Open next week.

Chiragh said, “Obviously, it’s been good. I’ve played some good golf the last two days. I ‘ve putted well, hit the ball well and planned my game pretty well. Everything is good so far.” Talking of the conditions, he smiled and added, “Somehow I always seem to catch the wind. So it doesn’t really matter if I’m playing morning or afternoon. But it was a lot hotter and humid too than on Thursday. It was slightly less windy than on Thursday which helped.”