India move up to fifth place at Sirikit Cup

Singapore, April 26 (IANS) The Indian women's team at the 34th Queen Sirikit Cup moved up one place Thursday and gave themselves a realistic chance of contending for a podium place at the Tanah Merah Country Club (Garden). India are now lying fifth at the end of the second day of the competition.

The Indian team supported by Usha is fifth at a two-day total of 300, while the defending champions Korea were runaway leaders at 277. The next four teams were within eight shots of each other. Australia (292), Philippines (294) and New Zealand (295) were lying second, third and fourth.

India were fifth, while three others teams, China, Malaysia and Indonesia, were tied sixth at 301. Thailand was ninth at 303. The top two scores are counted each day for the team's total.

In the individual standings, Gurbani Singh, who had an off-day in the first round, emerged as the best Indian on the second day, when the course was playing tough and the pin positions were rather difficult. Gurbani shot 73.

However, Aditi Ashok, who shot a second straight 75, was overall the best Indian at tied ninth at 150 after two rounds. Gurbani (79, 73) and Raksha Phadke (77, 75) with 152 were tied 16th.

The lead changed with Korean Hyo-Joo Kim (69, 65) taking over the top spot at 134. She was eight shots clear of Australian Whitney Hillier (70, 72) and New Zealand's Lydia Ko (69, 73) who were both at 142.