Mane in charge

Udayan Mane played a five-under (67) yesterday to grab the solo lead of the BTI Open as the 40-lakh-rupee event moved into the final two rounds.

The 26-year-old from Bangalore exchanged six birdies for a single bogey to take the clubhouse lead by one stroke over compatriot Khalin Joshi while overnight leader Mohammad Sanju slipped to joint fifth position at four-under-par (140).

The top ten positions were occupied by Indian golfers, with Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka squeezing in, while the local golfers continued to falter at their home course of the Kurmitola Golf Club. Robin Miah was the best among the locals at 13th position, followed by Shakhawat Hossain Sohel, Badal Hossain and Sajib Ali at 19th position.

A total of 51 golfers -- 31 Indians, 19 Bangladeshis and Sri Lanka's Perera – made the cut at five-over-par (149) for the final two rounds of the event.

The 26-year-old Udayan, playing his third season as a professional, had it all going for him on day two as he sank three birdie putts from a range of 10 to 15 feet and also made a couple of chip-putt birdies. The only blemish on his card was a bogey on the second where he missed an up and down.

"I feel I'm carrying forward the good form from the last event in Hyderabad where I finished tied 11th despite being unwell on the last two days," added Udayan, who finished tied 10th at the Asian Tour's Bangladesh Open played at the same venue earlier this month.

Sohel of Bangladesh said the title race is still very much open as there are a number of golfers in contention after a low-scoring second day. "It's hard to say at the moment who will win the title. I played par in both rounds because after missing cut in the Asian Tour earlier this month, I was very cautious with my game. I will play aggressive in the following rounds and hopefully will mount a title challenge," the 32-year-old golfer said.