Bangalore, Aug 13 - Kolkata's Raju Ali Mollah (70, 67) shot the best round of the day to become the joint leader after round two of the PGTI Players Championship, here Thursday.
Mollah's five-under 67 propelled him from an overnight tied 11th to the top of the leaderboard. Kapurthala-based Gaganjeet Bhullar (68, 69), a three-time winner on the PGTI this year, shares the lead with Mollah as the two have matching totals of seven under 137.
Ali Sher (66, 72), the joint leader from round one and Sri Lankan professional Anura Rohana (67, 71) are tied third at six under 138.
The cut was declared at four-over 148. Fifty-two professionals and two amateurs made the cut.
Raju Ali Mollah, 31, who is currently ranked 18th on the PGTI Order of Merit, began with a bogey on the 10th, where he made a three-putt from 10 feet. He then picked up four birdies in a row from the 14th to the 17th as he began sinking putts at will.
He sank a couple of 10 feet putts for birdies on the 14th and 15th and then converted three six footers to pick up three more birdies on the 16th, 17th and second. The par three third saw him chip-in (lob wedge) for birdie from 12 feet.
Raju said: 'My chipping and putting was much better than yesterday. I've been working on the mental aspect of my game recently since I blew away a seven-stroke lead heading into the final day at a PGTI event in Jaipur few months back. The title was then in my grasp but I let it slip away by trying to play safe on the final day and ultimately finished tied fifth. I'll try my best not to repeat those mistakes.