Atwal survives to be tied 57th, Chopra climbs to tied 20th

Detriot, June 30 (UNI) Arjun Atwal just about managed to make the cut after carding a one-under 71 while Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra made rapid strides to tied 20th spot at the end of the second round at Buick Open here.

The Georgia-based Atwal had a quite front nine, firing only a sole birdie but made up for the lack in action on the back nine with a hattrick of birdies from the 11th hole. Just when he looked unstoppable, his lethal deserted him and he came up with another hattrick -- this time three successive bogeys from the 15th hole.

At the end his disappointing show left languishing at tied 57 spot, just about making the cut, which was applied at two-under while he had a score of three-under 141.

In contrast, Chopra, who also shared the 46th spot with Atwal overnight, carded a brilliant four-under 68 to jump to tied 20th position at the Warwick Hills.

The Delhi-born Chopra reeled off five birdies in all against a solitary bogey for an aggregate score of six-under 138.

Atwal, who is fresh from an impressive tied 29th spot finish at the Travelers Championship last weekend in Connecticut, will have play well at the PGA circuit to get the automatic playing rights for 2008.

Atop the charts, world number three Jim Furyk shot to the lead with a fine four-under 68 alongside Americans Brett Quigley and Kenny Perry. They all tally 10-under 134 at the halfway stage.

However, they will be safe in the knowledge that World no.1 Tiger Woods, who captured his 50th career title here last year, is not lurking behind them as he has decided to spend time at home with his new-born daughter.

UNI