Shanghai, Nov 1 (IANS) Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar will have to pick himself up for the weekend rounds after three closing bogeys from the seventh hole left him to sign for a second round one-under-par 71 at the WGC-HSBC Champions Friday.
The four-time Asian Tour winner appeared to be heading towards a spectacular finish after charging ahead with four birdies through 12 holes from his back-nine 10th at the $8.5 million showpiece.
The 25-year-old, ranked third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, started his round four shots back of overnight leader Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland. After four straight pars from the 10th, Bhullar stepped up a gear with a birdie on the par-five 14th.
He birdied again on the 16th before reaching the turn in 34. Two birdies in his next three holes saw the Indian trail the leaders then by a single shot.
Bhullar, who is India’s sole representative, then parred the next three holes before the calamity started to unfold from the par-four seventh at the Sheshan International Golf Club.
“It’s hard to explain what went wrong there but I’m sure I’ll be back with a clear focus tomorrow,” said Bhullar, who signed for a two-day total of four-under-par 71, eight shots back of American Dustin Johnson who equalled the course record with a 63.