Thai star Wiratchant exits Indian Open as Bhullar, Atwal stay in hunt after impressive Round 2.

By Prateek Srivastava

C. Muniyappa shot a second round of 3-under 69 to share the top spot with Korean Lee Sung in the Indian Open at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon on Friday. Overnight leader Adam Blyth was hot on the leaders' trail as he scraped a level-par 72 to be tied 3rd along with Indian pro Digvijay Singh. Swede Daniel Chopra remains in contention after a steady 70.

Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant made the most high-profile exit of the day after a 74.

A balmy Friday will be remembered for the redemptive big names. Indian Arjun Atwal, after a ragged opening round of 75, turned the corner big time with a 66, on a day when almost the whole field struggled. The 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell was not far behind and looked like a man on a mission to restore his good name as he shot a 67. Gaganjeet Singh Bhullar (71) too improved on his first round performance to escape the gibbet of humiliation.

Despite a good show, Muniyappa believes his iron play was not as good as it should have been. "I would like to improve on my iron play and make more regulations in the next two rounds. At the moment I'm making regulations on about 10 to 12 holes and that's not good enough," he said. "I really want to post a good finish here so that I can improve my ranking on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and secure a full card for the next season," he added.

Digvijay, who carded a steady 68, sounded a bit doubtful of his chances mainly due to his wrist injury. "My hitting has been decent over the last two days. My wrist injury has not hampered my game this week but it's there at the back of my mind all the time. I just hope it holds up over the next two days," he said.

Australian Blyth, after a dream run on the first day, conceded that his back-nine play spoilt his round. "I was cutting along really nicely but then it all went wrong on the back nine. I really didn't hit any bad shots. I am a bit disappointed but I just have to keep positive and be patient," he said.

The tournament has now become really exciting as the big names have returned in form. It's anybody's game now.

Leaderboard, Round Two: 1. C. Muniyappa (IND), Lee Sung (KOR) (9-under 135) 3. Digvijay Singh (IND), Adam Blyth (AUS) (8-under 136) 5. Mars Pucay (PHIL), Kwanchai Tannin (THA) (7-under 137) 7. Keith Horne (SA), Jbe Kruger (SA) (6-under 138) 9. Unho Park (AUS), Daniel Chopra (SWE), Scott Hend (AUS), Mukesh Kumar (IND),  Jason King (AUS) (5-under 139)