Mohd Salim leads DHL Open

Mohammed Salim of Kolkata, who drives luxury buses during the off-season to earn enough money to play the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour, continued to be in the driving seat as he retained a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Rs 600,000 DHL Open, being played at the par-70 Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC), on Wednesday.

Lucknow's Jumman followed Salim at level-par 140 after submitting his second successive card of level-par 70. Akbar Ali, Rezwan Ali (both Kolkata) and amateur-turned-pro Ashok Kumar shot one-under 69 each to join, Mukesh Kumar of Mhow, the No 1 player on the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour, in tied third place at two-over 142.

Dinesh Kumar of Delhi was in seventh place at three-over 143. The cut was applied at 18-over and 52 players made it to the weekend rounds.

For someone who has experienced several hardships in his life, Salim is a bundle of joy on the course. The smile never fades - be it a bogey, or be it a birdie. In fact, after recording his best finish - a third in Dunlop Open in Kolkata in 1977 - he gave up golf in 1981 and worked for 14 years to support his family which comprises a 102-year-old self-sufficient grandmother as well.

On Wednesday, the 38-year-old enjoyed his round and the limelight thoroughly as he made three birdies and three bogies. Even a missed eagle opportunity on the par-5 18th, where he eventually three-putted for a par, failed to douse his enthusiasm.

"I am very happy with the way I am playing. I am not thinking about Friday but if I win the tournament here, I am going to buy myself a new set of clubs," said Salim, who is playing with four repaired clubs at the moment.

"However, the present set has stood by me all these days and today was no exception," he added.

Salim made birdies on the second (15 feet birdie putt), seventh and 16th holes and bogies on the sixth (three-putt), ninth (a difficult bunker shot) and 14th.

"I just hope someone takes notice of my performance here and sponsors me. I think I am playing some of my best golf at the moment and some financial help will definitely be a big boost to me," added Salim.

Jumman was a picture of consistency for the second successive day. The 35-year-old from Lucknow started with a birdie and finished with his second birdie of the day at the par-5 18th, where he hit an excellent bunker shot to less than three feet. In between, he made a three-putt bogey on the third and then missed his chip-putt from the edge of the green on the 14th for his second bogey which negated the birdies.

"I am very happy with the way I am hitting the ball," said Jumman, whose career best finish is runner-up in Noida Open in 1995. "I have been in contention several times and have played in the leader group before. However, I am eager to win a title now, especially as I have worked hard on my game in the last few months," he added.

Sachin leads amateurs: Sachin Nigade shot a creditable 72 to lead the amateurs section at 148. Devang Sharma was second at 151 following a card of 74.

SCORES (after 36 holes): 138 _ Mohammed Salim (68,70); 140 _ Jumman (70,70); 142 _ Ashok Kumar (73,69), Akbar Ali (73,69), Rezwan Ali (73,69), Mukesh Kumar (72,70); 143 _ Dinesh Kumar (71,72); 144 _ Yusuf Ali (75,69), Sanjay Kumar (73,71); 145 _ Rohtas Singh (73,72), Sachin Shingate (72,73), Mohammed Maqbool (71,74); 146 _ Raju Ali (74,72), Chini Ali (74,72), S Madhaiah (71,75);