Bogeyfree Lahiri tied for 23rd with Bhullar; Garrigus leads

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri made up for the slow start on the opening day with a flawless five-under 66 on the second day of CIMB Classic.

Kuala Lumpur: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri made up for the slow start on the opening day with a flawless five-under 66, that was one of the only five bogey-free rounds on the second day of the USD 6.1 million CIMB Classic here on Friday.

Lahiri, even-par for the first day, is now five-under for 36 holes, the same as compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar, who after the first day high of six-under 66 struggled to a one-over 72 on second. The Indian duo was tied 23rd in the 48-man field, of whom 38 posted sub-par rounds on second day. Meanwhile, Asian Tour`s Jbe Kruger outscored playing partner Tiger Woods with a seven-under 64, which moved him to second place and two shots behind halfway leader Robert Garrigus (64-64). Though he missed a few birdies putts, Lahiri was quite happy with his second round. "After yesterday, I knew I had to go out there and try to shoot a low score. I got it going pretty well. I was three-under through seven. Then I just hit a roadblock of putts. I hit it close on a number of holes, but didn`t read the greens very well today. I should have easily made three or four putts more. But I can`t really complain and I`ll take a 66," said Lahiri. On the difference between first and second rounds, Lahiri felt, "Yesterday I hit a few bad shots that cost me bogeys off the tee. I putted very poorly yesterday, so I definitely putted better (today). "I hope I can putt good over the weekend. The course was playing a little easier because it was softer. So even if your ball was going to the sides of the fairway, it would just plug. "It`s been a great (experience). I played with two different U.S. Tour players. Both, I think are winners on the Tour. It gives me a good feel." In the event`s two-year history, the best finish by a player in the field from the Asian Tour Order of Merit was last year`s tied fifth by Mardan Mamat. Garrigus, making his first CIMB Classic start, birdied eight out of 11 holes between seven and 18 but closed with a bogey on the 18th hole to finish with his second consecutive 64 and move to 14-under with a two-stroked lead. The 36-hole total is the lowest of Garrigus` career. His previous low on the PGA TOUR was 130 at this year`s RBC Canadian Open. Kruger, paired with Tiger Woods, shot a second-round seven-under to move to second, two off the lead, heading into the weekend. Kruger finished tied 28th here last year. PTI