Golfer Shiv 2nd at Panasonic Open

India’s Shiv Kapur hit four-under 67 to trail leader Kodai Ichihara of Japan by a stroke after the second round of the Panasonic Open Golf Championship here on Friday.

Shiv, who was tied ninth following a 68 in the opening round, overcame the blustery afternoon conditions by trading six birdies (third, sixth, seventh, 10th, 11th, 14th) against two bogeys (eighth and 17th).

He got a total of seven-under 135 -- one behind Ichihara, who fired a sparkling 65 at the Chiba Country Club, Umesato course.

Japan’s Azuma Yano was a further shot back in third place following a 69 while Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei, also searching for a first win, registered a 67 to sit in fourth place on 137, three shots back from the leader.

Shiv is chasing for his first silverware since winning the 2005 Volvo Masters of Asia in Thailand and earning the Rookie of the Year award in the same season. “All the credit goes to the wife. I can’t deny that. Ever since I got engaged, I’ve been playing well,” laughed the 34-year-old, who married his wife Maya on the holiday isle of Bali on April 3.

“It was pretty good with the way the wind was blowing. It was tough to pick where the wind was coming from but I hope the conditions stay like this during the weekend. I’ve been playing in Europe for the last 10 years and I have the experience to play in a lot of wind,” he said.