Scottish Open: Lahiri storms back on second day

Lahiri, who shot 76 on the opening day in a round that finished late in the evening and in wet conditions, brought around a nine-shot swing in his card with a bogey-free five-under 67.

Anirban Lahiri brought around a nine-shot swing in his card with a bogey-free five-under 67.

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri shook off the rust and adapted himself to the conditions as he rallied with a second round 67 to make the cut at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open today.

Lahiri, who shot 76 on the opening day in a round that finished late in the evening and in wet conditions, brought around a nine-shot swing in his card with a bogey-free five-under 67.

“More than anything else I will now get to play four rounds of Links golf before Open next week at Royal Birkdale. That was my plan and that was why I added Scottish Open to my schedule,” said Lahiri.

“I just did not make any putts yesterday and today I hit a lot closer and did get a few in, but all from inside 10 feet. I was unable to read the greens and I did not get putts in from around 10-15 feet and that was the difference,” he said.

“So, hopefully I will get into a better frame and adapt myself better in time for the Open at Birkdale.”

India’s other player in the field, S. S. P. Chawrasia, who will finish late on Friday was one-over through nine holes and he was also one-over for the tournament.

With the afternoon play yet to finish, two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington moved into sole lead at nine- under, following up his 67 in the first round late on Thursday with a fine four-under 68 in the second.

Harrington was in the same group as Lahiri and Korean Byeong Hun An (72-71).

Alexander Knappe of Germany was six-under for the day and eight-under for the tournament. Also at eight-under was Callum Shinkwin and he had three holes to play.