Bahuguna surges ahead at LG ITC Classic Open

Gurgaon, Apr 23 (UNI) The temperature crossed the 40-degree celcius barrier but Saurabh Bahuguna's putter was even hotter as he fired a four-under 68 to take a two-shot lead at the end of the second round of the LG ITC Classic Open Amateur golf championship here today.

Pawan Kumar was sole second after a second round 69 while Vikram Rana shot the day's best of six-under 66 to be placed third at 143.

As many as five players - HS Kang, Abhishek Jha, Rahul Bajaj, Jasjeet Singh and L Selvadurai were all tied for the fourth spot at level par 144.

Overnight leader Kapil Kumar returned a card of two-over 74 to be placed ninth at 145 while the Amanjyot Singh was tenth at 146.

Saurabh's round was laced with seven birdies against three bogeys. Beginning from the 10th, Saurabh was right on target, making a birdie on the easy par-4 10th.

After saving one more stroke on the 12th, he dropped a shot on the 13th before making amends with a birdie on the 14th. He saved one more stroke on the tough par-3 17th to finish his front nine at 3-under.

On the back nine, the only eventful holes seemed to be in the middle of his round where he made a bogey on the par-4 fourth with a birdie each on either side of his disaster hole.

He kept his cool despite the mounting heat to par the rest of the holes and submitted a card of 68.

''Actually my putter saved the day for me,'' Saurabh said.''I was driving it well but my iron-play was a bit of suspect. Luckily my putter came good which was a saving grace.'' With two more rounds to go, it could be anybody's game, especially the player who can last the mile in the sweltering heat.

UNI XC AB RKM DB2104