Gaganjeet Bhullar claimed the clubhouse lead after posting a two under par 70 in the second round of the inaugural Gujarat Kensville Challenge, the first event of the 2011 Challenge Tour season.
Indian Bhullar had birdies at the third, sixth and 18th holes to lead by a shot from Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, who followed up a first round 67 with a two over par 74.
Three players – English pair Daniel Denison and Matt Ford and India’s Abhishek Jha – are another shot behind at two under par at Kensville Golf Club in Ahmedabad, India, which was designed by three-time European Tour champion Jeev Milkha Singh.
Bhullar said: “It is a long course. The greens are tough as they are hard at the moment and are playing fast. I had trouble putting as I have recently changed my putter. This is the first tournament I’ve used it and it is a bit heavy. I was leaving my putts a bit short, but I think I am getting accustomed to the pace now.
“I changed my course management strategy and decided to use irons off the tee instead of the driver, which I used on just seven holes. The dog-leg nature of the course does not allow you to attack right from the tee.”
Ford said: “This is my first visit to India. I did not know what to expect as I had only heard stories about this country. But it has been an excellent trip so far and we are all enjoying the nice and warm weather.
“I did not plan anything different for today. I left my putts short yesterday but I improved today. I missed a couple of birdie chances but I also made some good up and downs to save par.”
Austria’s Florian Praegant reached four under after three holes of his second round, birdieing the first after his three under par 69 on the first day.
