Jeev, Chopra fails to stay on at Palmer Invitional

Orlando, Florida, Mar 17 (UNI) Jeev Milkha Singh and Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra had a horrendous outing with both of them missing the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational second round here.

Jeev and Chopra failed to master the swirling winds, frequent rain and thick rough to be knocked out of contention.

Jeev came up with a vastly improved performance, even better than Tiger Woods, managing an even-par 70 but the halfway cut fell at three-over 143 while Jeev could only manage a total tally eight-over 148. Chopra was further back with a poor two-over 72 for a ten-over total of 150.

The UBS Asian Order of Merit winner fired two birdies and an identical number of bogeys while Chopra was worse off with three bogeys against a lone birdie.

Meanwhile, American Rocco Mediate blasted a five-under-par 65 to charge into a three-shot lead at the Bay Hill Club for a nine-under total of 131 in the 5.5 million dollar event.

However, world number one and joint leader overnight Tiger Woods struggled in difficult conditions, running up a double-bogey seventh after driving into water at the sixth on his way to a 73 and a tie for 13th at three-under.

The Bay Hill layout was beefed up since last year, changing from a par-72 to a par-70 with the fourth and 16th holes reduced to par-fours.

UNI