Golfer Lahiri misses halfway cut at Players Championship

Ponte Vedra Beach (United States), May 9 (IANS) Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri improved his score to par-72 in the second round but missed the halfway cut in his maiden appearance at the Players Championship here on Friday.

World No.36 Lahiri, who had struggled in the first round at his maiden appearance, scoring four-over 76, carded an even par round for a two-day total of four-over 148. The cut was declared at 144.

Tiger Woods was lucky to make the cut as he shared the 61st spot with 14 others at the Sawgrass golf course.

On Friday, Lahiri started quite positively, birding the second and the third hole to go two-under before a double-bogey on the par-four fifth affected his march.

After playing two even-par holes, he suffered a blow in the form of a bogey on the par-three eighth hole.

He played a birdie on the ninth to go for an even-par round till first ninth holes. On the back nine holes, he birdied the 11th hole. however, his progress was halted with a bogey on the par-four 15th hole.

With eight-under 136 as total, Kevin Na and fellow American Jerry Kelly took a two-shot joint lead over South African Brendan Grace and Canadian David Hearn, as well as Americans Rickie Fowler and Chris Kirk, who sit in the clubhouse at six-under 138.

Na was in the lead from the first round after scoring a five-under 67 and he carded 69 to continue his stay at the top. But Kelly charged into contention despite scoring 71 in the opening round. He fired seven-under 65 on Friday to sit alongside Na.

World No.1 Rory McIlroy shot 71 to share the 13th spot with 12 other golfers. The Northern Irishman has a two-day total of 140, four shots behind the joint leaders.