Jeev slips to tied 26; Chowrasia misses cut

Jeev Milkha Singh found the going tough as he dropped five bogeys, two in his last three holes, to end up with a card of 73 and slip from overnight 11th to tied 26th at the midway stage of the Dubai Desert Classic here on Friday.

Another Indian, SSP Chowrasia missed the cut with a 79.

On a day of low scores, Rory McIlroy held the spotlight adding a stunning 65 to his first day 66. But before the day was over, the seasoned Thomas Bjorn had joined McIlroy at the top with a bogey free 65, a score that was achieved no less than four times in the day.

Atwal in trouble

Arjun Atwal was unable to keep up with his friend and playing partner Tiger Woods and may miss the cut in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach, California after a two-over 74 in the opening round on Thursday.

He will need to shoot low numbers over next two rounds to play the final round as the cut comes after three rounds.

Woods shot 68 and was tied 15th and Atwal was 131st. Also in danger was Daniel Chopra, who carded four-over 74 at par-70 Monterrey Peninsula course. Dustin Johnson fired an eagle on the third and carded nine-under 63 to take a share of the lead with Charlie Wi  and Danny Lee, who played at par-72 Pebble Beach like Johnson.

Gangjee hits 70

It was tough day out there for the Indians as only four of the eight who started survived the midway cut at the ICTSI Philippine Open in Manila on Friday.

Rahil Gangjee, who was close to missing the cut after a first day 75, shot a two-under 70, one of the few under-par rounds to leap up to tied 17th at the halfway stage.

On a tough day also making the cut among Indians were Digvijay Singh (71, 75), Anirban Lahiri (73, 76) and Sujjan Singh. The four Indians missing the cut were Himmat Rai (73, 78), Ajeetesh Sandhu (76, 76), Chiragh Kumar (74, 78) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (74, 78).