Himmat best Indian after second round at Ho Tram Open

Himmat Rai brought home a card of two-under 69 in gusty conditions to emerge as the best-placed Indian at the half-way mark of the USD 1.5 million Ho Tram Open golf tournament here today.
On a wind-swept day, Himmat showed nerves of steel as he fired four birdies against two bogeys to take his two-day total to seven-under 135, three shots adrift of the leader Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei, who fired a four-under 67 today.
Among other Indians, Gaganjeet Bhullar, who had scored 66 yesterday, was tied 32nd after he was left stranded following 11th holes with four-over at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip.

Rahil Gangjee also struggled in the difficult conditions and shared the 46th place with five-over after 13th hole. Jeev Milkha Singh carded two-over 73 to lied at tied 61st.
Rashid Khan and S Chikka were also at tied 61st spot being one-under and par for the day after 10 holes.
Himmat, who had scored 66 in the opening round, was happy with his performance today.

"It was very satisfying, I hit the ball well. Although I got out of position a few times, I recovered well. Conditions were tough on the back nine. It was just guess work out there. It was pretty hard. Making pars become tough, especially on the par fives doesn't happen often.

"It was sometimes a four club difference. I made nine pars on the back nine which gave me a lot of confidence. Just rolled in a few putts. Two under through nine, I thought if I could finish there, it would be a good day.
"Nice to be on leaderboard. I think I've got a good strategy for the course and I'm playing the wind well. Just playing percentage golf and it's been working. There are a few courses where you kind of see them and I've got a good game plan for this course. I feel comfortable on the golf course," he added.

Strong gusts in the afternoon, which reached up to 25mph and moved golf balls on the greens, forced officials to suspend play for two hours. Fifty eight players will now return on Saturday, 6.30am to complete their remaining holes.