Jeev in joint lead at European Open

Kent (England), May 30 (PTI) Jeev Milkha Singh joined the
title race with a strong second round card of three-under 69
that propelled him into the joint lead of the European Open
golf tournament here.

On a day when gushing wind threw many a campaign into
complete disarray, Jeev held his nerve to share the lead with
Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera (69) with a total eight-under
136.

Jeev's birdies came on the first, fourth, fifth, 11th,
14th and 17th and he dropped one stroke each on the ninth,
16th and 18th holes.

"It was quite tough in the breeze. I think it was quite
tough to judge the right club, and especially the distance on
the back nine, especially on the breeze coming left to right
and right to left," an elated Jeev later said.

"But I'm fortunate, I had a great chip in on number 17 --
wrong club off the tee but I got away with a birdie. That's a
bonus. Eighteen was playing really tough, I hit a bad drive
but got around the green, didn't make up and down, but I'm
still happy with a 69. I think 69 in these conditions, I take
any day," he added.

The other Indians in fay, Shiv Kapur and Jyoti Randhawa
were, however, unable to cope with the tough conditions and
went over-par to drop down the title race.

While Randhawa carded a 73, Kapur was a stroke worse
turning in a 74.

Randhawa was tied for the ninth spot with a total of
five-under 139 after stumbling to four bogeys against three
birdies.

Kapur, meanwhile, was tied 14th with a total of
three-under 141. PTI