Chopra one shot off lead, Atwal misses cut

Athens: Daniel Chopra, who has a head cover depicting Yoda, the iconic character of Star Wars, carded a second successive three-under 68 to move to six-under 138 and into tied second even as Arjun Atwal missed the cut at the end of the second round of the Stadion Classic here.

The Indo-Swede Chopra, who lost his PGA Tour card last season, and is now playing on Web.Com and hoping to secure a PGA berth for 2014, is one of four players tied at 6-under alongside New Zealand`s Tim Wilkinson (67-69), Americans Matt Bettencourt (69-67) and Brendon Todd (66-70). One shot ahead of this quarter were leaders Russell Knox (69-66) and Michael Putnam (67-68). Meanwhile, Bhavik Patel, an American of Indian origin, carded a 69 after a first-round 68, and was tied seventh at five-under 137. Atwal, the only Indian winner ever on PGA, missed the cut after rounds of 75 and 71 as the cut fell at one-over. Chopra may well have been in sole lead but for his double bogey on par-3 16th. Chopra, a three-time winner on Web.Com Tour and two-time winner on the PGA Tour, birdied the 18th for his second straight 68, while Bettencourt carded a bogey-free 67. Wilkinson made three birdies and a bogey for a 69. Chopra will be hoping for some better scores on the third day, which is also the Star Wars Day. The 39-year old Chopra had just 24 putts Friday and has had just 50 through 36 holes. The conditions were rather demanding with winds and showers on a course that was playing tough already. John Daly withdrew due to a shoulder injury. PTI