India's Bhullar retains lead in Macau

India's Gaganjeet Bhullar continued his good form to stay two-shots clear of Thais Prom Meesawat and Thitiphun Chuayprakong at the US$750,000 Venetian Macau Open on Friday.

Gaganjeet Bhullar continues his good form

HONG KONG, Oct 12, 2012 (AFP) - The 24-year-old Indian reached a three-under-par 68 at the Macau Golf and Country Club to lead the popular Asian Tour event on 11-under-par 131.

He is chasing his second Asian Tour title within the space of a month,

Thitiphun, 20, shot an impressive 66 to jump into tied second place with compatriot Prom, who managed two chip-in birdies in his round of 68.

Filipino star Angelo Que (66), Thai ace Thongchai Jaidee (68), Bangladeshi Siddikur (68), Brazilian Adilson Da Silva (66) and Australia's Kieran Pratt (68) are a further shot back on 134 in the event that is title sponsored for the first time by The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel.

After an opening round of 63, overnight leader Bhullar was somewhat more subdued with four birdies against an opening bogey today.

He took 29 putts over the tricky Macau layout but extended his recent good form that has yielded two top-10s and a win at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Taipei.

"Not as good as yesterday but considering the conditions right now, it's not a bad score," said Bhullar. "I could have done much better but there is a lot of golf left."

Scores after round 2 of the Venetian Macau Open (par 71):

131 - Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 63-68.

133 - Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 67-66, Prom Meesawat (THA) 65-68.

134 - Angelo Que (PHI) 68-66, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 66-68, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 66-68, Siddikur (BAN) 66-68, Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 68-66.

135 - Scott Hend (AUS) 65-70, Jason Knutzon (USA) 67-68, Jonathan Moore (USA) 67-68.