Vijay Kumar excels

Vijay Kumar with back to back 67s stamped his authority at the top of the leaderboard of the inaugural Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Open at a cumulative score of 134 (ten under par).

Harmeet Kahloon and Mukesh Kumar showed good form. While Harmeet excelled with a 67, a second consecutive round of 68 from Mukesh means that these two players enjoy second position two off the pace starting the third round.

Uttam Singh Mundy and Vishal Singh are a further two strokes adrift at a score of 6 under 138, with overnight leader Vinod Kumar at 139.

Chand Mia was the top local player on view and his score of 143 is currently is a tie for 8th place over all.

The cut was applied at eleven over with 50 professionals exactly qualifying for the moneymaking rounds along with seven amateurs.

Vijay Kumar has certainly taken a serious liking to the Kurmitola Golf Club and again today he strung together six-birdies and only a single bogey on his way to a second consecutive course equaling 67. His birdies on the trot starting the back nine on 10th, 11th and 12th with an additional birdie on the par-five, 17th to return an inward half of 32.

Harmeet also had a string of birdies on the third, eighth, ninth, 11th, 14th and 15th and while he could not capitalize on the par-five seventh and 17th he was indeed happy with his position at the end of 36 holes.

So far 16 players are at par or better which is complementary of the course conditions. Amongst the 50 pros there are 8 local professionals and three from Nepal who survived the half way cut. Mohd. Milon is the leading amateur and is one of the players currently at even par with his closest competitor Raiyan Rob a further eight-strokes adrift.

Commenting on his performance so far Vijay Kumar said: "My driving accuracy this week has helped set up may birdie opportunities."

The other feature eagerly awaited this week is whether someone will break the course record of 67 and with 3 players so far having matched this score, maybe someone will break the barrier on Friday. What is certain is that an entertaining two days are in store for all of us.

SCORES (after 36 holes): 134 _ Vijay Kumar (67,67); 136 _ Harmeet Kahlon (69, 67), Mukesh Kumar (68,68); 138 _ Uttam Singh Mundy (68,70), Vishal Singh (68,70), 139 _ Vinod Kumar (Delhi) (67,72), 143 _ Indrajit Bhalotia (73,70), Chand Mia (72,71).

Amateurs: 144 _ Mohd Milon (72,72); 152 _ Raiyan Rob (74, 78)