Feroz, Ghei lead HT ProGolf

Kolkata's Feroz Ali put together a scintillating four-under 68, a new course record, under severely windy conditions to join Gaurav Ghei in the lead at the midway stage of the Rs 800,000 Hindustan Times-sponsored HT ProGolf 2002, being played at the par-72, 7,343-yard Jaypee Greens course.

In the 17th leg of the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour's 2001-02 season, the leaders enjoyed a three-stroke advantage at four-under 140.

Overnight joint leader, Vijay Kumar, slipped down two spots to tied third along with rookie Rahil Gangjee at one-under 143.

Veteran Delhi golfer Rohtas Singh matched Feroz's effort of 68 to leap up to tied fifth place with Digvijay Singh (Meerut) and Shiv Prakash (Kanpur) at level-par 144.

The cut was applied at 11-over 155, with 52 professionals making it to the money-making rounds. Among those who missed the cut was Lucknow's promising rookie Sheeraz Kalra.

If one golfer were to be chosen as the comeback man on the Hero Honda Golf Tour this season, it would be Feroz Ali. After an ordinary start to the season, Feroz came back with a bang to win the Surya Nepal Masters, Kathmandu. He then began the year 2002 in style by defending his title for the second successive year at the Hero Honda Open, Pune. Today, with winds blowing at terrific speeds, Feroz displayed immaculate control over the ball to set himself up for yet another title.

"It was freezing out there today," said the Kolkatan. "I could hardly feel my grip on the first three holes," added the tenth-tee starter. Despite this, Feroz played exceptionally well, returning birdies on the 13th, 17th and then the 1st, 6th and 9th with a missed three feet par putt on the 14th handing him his only dropped shot of the day.

"This course is similar to most courses on the Asian circuit. I am therefore quite comfortable playing here and it really suits my game," said the winner of the '98 Indian Open.

Ghei was pretty pleased with his showing today.

"I have no complaints with my game. My driving in particular is in excellent shape," said the golfer, who returned to the Tour this week after a two-week vacation from the game.

Ghei had earlier undergone a hernia operation, which had kept him out of the game for the better part of the year 2001. An Asian PGA Tour regular, Ghei will make a return to the Asian circuit from which he got a medical exemption for the 2001 season.

Today, the Delhi Golf Club pro birdied the 6th on his outward journey, with two more birdies on the 12th and 17th sandwiching a bogey on the 16th on his return journey.

"I need to work on my putting. Everything else is in place," he said, adding that the windy conditions tested his driving to the hilt.

Gaurav played to two-under 70.

Rahil Gangjee is almost certain to take home the year ending 'Rookie of the Year' award. However, that did not deter him from putting up a fine display today. His front-nine consisted of a long birdie on the 6th, which he followed up with birdies on the 12th and 14th. He bogeyed the 16th.

The winner of the HT ProGolf 2001 Lucknow is one of the fastest developing golfers on the Hero Honda Golf Tour and very capable of causing an upset on his day.

"My win at Lucknow has got me believing in myself. If I hit the ball the way I did today, I back myself to win this week," added the Kolkatan, who returned a second round score of one-under 71.

Chatfield continues to lead amateurs: Garry Charfield, the Australien Greens Superintendent at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort, led the amateur field for the second day in succession with a tally of 10-over 154.

He played to six over 78 today. In second spot was Arjun Singh at 14-over 158.

SCORES (after 36 holes): 140 _ Feroz Ali (72,68), Gaurav Ghei (70,70): 143 _ Rahil Gangjee (72,71), Vijay Kumar(70,73); 144 _ Rohtas Singh(76,68), Digvijay Singh(73,71), Shiv Prakash (72,72); 145 _ Mohd. Nawab (71,74); 146 _ SSP Chowrasia (73,73), Rajesh Rawat (72,74), Basad Ali (71,75), Minky Barbora(71,75), KS Sibia(70,76), Yusuf Ali(70,76); Amateurs: 154 _ Garry Chatfield (76,78); 158 _ Arjun Singh (78,80)