GURGAON: Using all his experience of playing on fast greens in Europe, Jyoti Randhawa putted better than most contenders and walked away with an astonishing card of eight-under 64 on the second day of the Rs. 65-lakh DLF Masters golf tournament here on Friday.

At the DLF Golf and Country Club, Randhawa's two-day tally of 12-under 132 gave him a five-shot lead over young Gaurav Diwan, who shot a 68 following a 69 on Thursday. Australia's Richard Backwell was next at 138, two strokes ahead of the overnight leader Ranjit Singh, S.S.P. Chowarsia and Vijay Kumar.

Tour leader Ashok Kumar again failed to get his act together, but just about managed to make the `cut' that came at seven under 151. Ashok followed his first-round 75 with a 76. Gaurav Ghei and Shiv Kapur shot 69 and 71, respectively, after their par rounds on Thursday.

On this day, Randhawa hit the ball beautifully and accurately. Whether it was his driver, 8-iron, pitching wedge or lob-wedge, Randhawa used them like tools in the hands of a seasoned artisan.

Birdie opportunities

Repeatedly, Randhawa set up several birdie opportunities and succeeded nine times. His putter, almost every time, obeyed his command.

"I think I hit the ball better today and got used to the greens. Most guys are struggling here because this course has narrow fairways. So if you are not accurate (with your tee shots), this course can be very punishing. The trees here have grown and made things very challenging," said Randhawa about his home course.

On the final hole, the par-5 ninth, Randhawa seemed poised to equal, if not break, Rodrigo Cuolo's course record of nine-under 63, set in the 2000 Indian Open. On the edge of the green after two shots, Randhawa's stroked the putt too firmly and sent the ball rolling 10 feet past the pin. He needed two more putts to save par.

Making amends

When Randhawa started the round from the 10th tee this afternoonhe took off on the wrong foot by three-putting from about 25 feet to start with a bogey but made amends on the next two holes with birdies from 15 feet and two feet.

The results: Jyoti Randhawa (68, 64) 132; Gaurav Diwan (69, 68) 137; Richard Backwell (Aus) (68, 70) 138; Ranjit Singh (66, 74), S.S.P. Chowrasia (71, 69) and Vijay Kumar (70, 70) 140; Mukesh Kumar (70, 71), Gaurav Ghei (72, 69), Digvijay Singh (71, 70) and Himmat Singh Rai (70, 71) 141; R. Srinivas (73, 70) and Shiv Kapur (72, 71) 143; Chiragh Kumar (73, 71), Gaganjit Bhullar (75, 69) and Ali Sher (73, 71) 144.

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