Mardan Mamat takes Panasonic Open lead
Singapore's Mardan Mamat continued his fine run at the inaugural Panasonic Open by posting a seven-under-par 65 to take the second round lead on Thursday. The 43-year-old signed for a two-day total of 12-under-par (132) to open up a four-shot lead over Ben Fox of the United States and overnight leader Anirban Lahiri of India -- who have both scored 136 at the Delhi Golf Club. India's Himmat Rai bettered his opening 70 with a 67 to push into fourth place with compatriot Manav Jaini one back in fifth on 138 at the newest $300,000 event on the Asian Tour. Starting the day in tied-second, Mamat overcame his two-shot deficit with a flawless opening front-nine. The Singaporean fired four birdies and an eagle-three on the par-five eighth to move to the top of the leaderboard at 11-under at the turn. His only blemish of the round would come at the par-four 10th where he rued a bad iron shot. "I had a really good start and that kept up my confidence. Overall I'm very pleased with the way I've putted over the last two days," said Mamat. "As long as you don't make too many silly mistakes on this golf course, it will be okay. I'm just going to relax and sharpen my putting. I hope to maintain my momentum for the next two days." Meanwhile, Fox produced another commanding performance by mixing eight birdies against two bogeys to keep up his charge for a career breakthrough on the Asian Tour. Home favourite Lahiri, who enjoyed a flawless 65 on the opening day, bemoaned the afternoon's strong winds for blowing away his lead. "The winds were howling from all over the place and the same holes which people were making birdies in the morning were not so easy in the afternoon," said Lahiri. The 23-year-old mixed three birdies against two bogeys to return with a 71 but is confident that that he will be back to contend for the lead when the third round resumes. "I'm happy that I managed to scrap out an under-par score on a tough day like this. For me, it's just about going out there again and play my golf, same thing which I did yesterday," said Lahiri.
