Jeev Milkha Singh was left to rue a poor back nine in his level-par 70 as he missed his second successive cut in the US PGA Tour, but Daniel Chopra fired a superb four-under 66 to ensure weekend action after the second round of the EDS Byron Nelson Championships in Texas.

Jeev ended with a five-over 145 and four off the cut line. The seasoned Indian needed to return a low score after his first round 75 but blew away his chances in the back nine to fall by the wayside.

Jeev opened with four pars and then had a hat-trick of birdies from fifth to seventh.

However, he lapsed with a bogey on eighth and 13th and gave it all away with another dropped shot on the 16th.

In contrast, Chopra rallied from a poor first round as he ensured a place in the weekend rounds with a one-under 139 total. He was lying tied 30th.

The India-born Swede sank in five birdies on fourth, fifth, seventh, 12th and 18th. The only blemish on his otherwise sparkling show was a dropped shot on the 14th.

At the top, Luke Donald also shot a four-under 66 to take sole lead with seven-under 133 after two rounds. The Englishman was one shot clear of defending champion Brett Wetterich (68), Frederik Jacobson and first-round leader Sean O'Hair (69).

This is the first time the tournament is being played without Byron Nelson after whom the event is named.

The legendary golfer died last year on September 26 at the age 94. Play will be stopped for a moment of silence during the third round in honour of Nelson.