Inverness (Scotland): SSP Chowrasia put himself in line for one of his best finishes on European soil with a second successive 67 that put him at 10-under 134 and in tied 5th spot at Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
His colleague Jeev Milkha Singh (66-70) is two behind and in tied 16th place.
Chowrasia, one of the only three Indians to have won twice on the European Tour, had six birdies against one bogey in his 67 at the Castle Stuart Golf.
He is only two shots behind joint leaders Francesco Molinari (62-70) and Alexander Noren (66-66).
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, winner of the ISPS Handa Wales Open last month, who gave Chowrasia some valuable advise shot a 70 for equal 33rd place.
"It was very good, I changed my game plan because the last few weeks, we changed my irons, and so it`s much better. This week, my putting is also very good," said the Indian.”
"I asked Thongchai how he was playing and any mental tips. He said `just hit it straight ball and green, two-putt, two-putt...The birdie will automatically come`," he added.
With Stuart Castle being a typical Scottish links course, Chowrasia said he is feeling right at home.
"Normally I`m not used to playing links courses but I like links course, because I chip and roll, and really like it. This week I`m playing very good, so let`s see."
Molinari and Noren share a one shot lead going into what promises to be a spectacular weekend. Birdies and eagles were flying in all across this magnificent links on another perfect day for scoring on the banks of the Moray Firth.
In the end it was Molinari, the overnight leader, and Noren at the head of a congested leaderboard on 12 under par.
Molinari, who smashed the course record on the opening day, even had a triple bogey seven on the 464 yard seventh before battling back to a two under par 70, but that slip was enough to allow Swede Noren to join him out in front after a second successive 66 the day after his girlfriend Emelie won an event in Norway on his 30th birthday.
Italian Matteo Manassero, twice a winner on the European Tour already and still a teenager, is in the hunt for another victory -- and a place in The Open Championship -- after a 64 matched the low round of the day.
World number one and defending champion Luke Donald`s 68 means he is in the ten-strong group at nine under par with only three shots to make up and Phil Mickelson`s 64 brought him just five back.
With 2009 winner Martin Kaymer among those alongside Donald and Padraig Harrington six under, the final 36 holes still has all sorts of possibilities.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, July 14, 2012, 16:34