Whiteford two clear in India

New Delhi, India – Peter Whiteford carded a four-under 68 stroke lead after two rounds of the Avantha Masters.

Whiteford, a first-round co-leader, completed 36 holes at 10-under-par 134. He is searching for his first European Tour victory.

Prom Meesawat fired an eight-under 64 at DLF Golf and Country Club to jump into second place at minus-eight.

Thailand natives Chapchai Nirat (67) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (69) are tied for third at seven-under-par 137. They were joined there by Kieran Pratt (66) and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (69).

Thorbjorn Olesen carded a five-under 67 to move into a share of seventh at minus-six. Among the eight players that stand alongside Olesen are India natives Shamim Khan (68) and Anirban Lahiri (69).

Whiteford played the back nine first on Friday and quickly picked up a shot with a his second birdie in two days at the par-three 11th. However, he bogeyed the next two holes to slip back to minus-five.

The Scotsman got back to even-par for his round with a birdie on the 15th. He also birdied No. 18 to make the turn at minus-seven.

Whiteford, 31, parred the first three holes of the front nine and birdied the fourth from 20 feet, but stumbled to a his second bogey in two days at the par-four fifth.

At the par-five sixth, Whiteford poured in a 30-foot eagle putt to jump to minus-nine. He birdied the eighth to finish two clear of the field.

"I had a sticky patch at the start. It was freezing cold this morning. But once it warmed up a bit, I started to play a bit better and gave myself a few chances," Whiteford said. "I had a good eagle on the sixth, which kick-started me a bit to finish well."

Meesawat had a birdie and five pars through six holes. He converted back-to- back birdie chances from the seventh, then cruised around the turn with four straight pars.

The 27-year-old caught fire down the stretch. He ran off three consecutive birdies from the 13th to move to minus-six and birdied the final two holes to move into second place.

"I putted really well today. Luckily, I didn't have to use much of my driver on this course," Meesawat stated. "I just played with my three-wood and my putting worked today."

NOTES: Defending champion S.S.P. Chowrasia managed an even-par 72 to finish two rounds at one-under-par 143, which left him tied for 43rd...The cut line fell at even-par 144 with 67 players moving on to the weekend...Among those that missed the cut were Richie Ramsay, Ricardo Gonzalez and Oliver Fisher...John Daly withdrew prior to the second round with an injured elbow.