Aman Raj makes cut despite late collapse in Korea

India's Aman Raj survived a major collapse of four bogeys in the last five holes in the second round to make the halfway cut in the 38th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship here on Friday.

Aman, who broke through for his first win on the PGTI Tour last September, shot 72 in the first round and then ended with 73 in the second to be three-over 145 after being one-under at one stage.

The other two Indians in the fray, S Chikkarangappa (72-75) and Aadil Bedi (76-76) missed the halfway cut. Chikka was undone by the finish as he double bogeyed the Par-4 16th and bogeyed the 17th to miss the cut by one. Bedi was way off at 10-over as the cut fell at four-over 146.

Aman played very steady with two birdies on ninth and 12th to be two-under for the day and one-under for the tournament, before he had four bogeys in last five holes of the Namseoul Country Club.

Finland's Janne Kaske (70-66) broke the local stronghold by firing a superb five-under-par 66 to grab a share of the halfway lead while birthday boy Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand lurks by two shots.

Kaske shares the lead Korean Taehee Lee (67-69) at six-under-par 136s.

Local prospects Yoseop Seo and Junwon Park trail the leading duo by one shot in third place following respective rounds of 69 and 68.

Phachara posted a commendable 68 to settle for a share of fifth place on 138 with Gowoong Choi of Korea. The young Thai talent is the only foreigner after Kaske to sit inside the top-10 after 36 holes.