The 24-year-old Delhi professional, Bhandari, in smashing the course record, battered his first round score by 12 strokes after making an eagle, seven birdies and one bogey.

The cut was applied at 148 and 67 golfers made it to the third round.

Apart from Bhandari, who stunned the crowd with his brilliant display, three other Indians who made the cut were Gaurav Ghei, Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhwa all recording identical one over par 72.

The Indians who fell by the way side and failed to make it to the third round were, Kanwar Sekhon, Amritinder Singh, Amandeep Johl and Arjun Singh.

Gaurav Ghei shot a one-over par-72 and with a total of 142 (70+72) slipped down from joint ninthplace to 15th slot.

Jeev Milkha finished one-over 72-round to be at 44th slot with an aggregate of 146 (74+72). Jeev moved up from first round placing of joint 57th slot.

Jyoti Randhwa, after yesterday's 75, played steadied golf for one-over par- 72 round to total 147 (75+72) to be at joint 54th position.

The Indian played the front nine in five-under-par 30, which was highlighted by three consecutive birdies from the fourth.

Shiv Prakash moves up

FARIDABAD: Only Shiv Prakash and Ali Sher among the 74 pros returned sub-par cards as intermittent rain and a heavy shower marred play on the second day of the Royal Challenge Aravalli Open here today.

Vijay Kumar and Vishal Singh, though hampered by the heavy fairway, continued to lead with an aggregate of 145 after 36 holes. Vijay Kumar fired three over 75, while vishal managed one over 73.

Camp for women

NEW DELHI: Hoping to make their debut in the Bangkok Asian Games, Indian women golfers have started training at the Classic Golfcourse here.

Nonita Lal Qureshi, Parneeta Grewal, Shruti Khanna, Anjali Chopra and Urvashi Sethi are among the players attending the camp conducted by seasoned pro Ajay Gupta.