Ajeetesh Sandhu followed his opening 65 with a six-under 66 to reach 13-under and establish a two-stroke halfway lead at TNGF Cosmo Golf Course.

Ajeetesh Sandhu moved two shots clear at the Chennai Open after producing another assured round at TNGF Cosmo Golf Course.

The 37-year-old from Chandigarh (65-66) made eight birdies against two bogeys to reach 13-under 131. Sandhu, a five-time winner on the DP World PGTI and a former Asian Tour champion, played both nines in three-under.

He felt his ball-striking had improved from the opening round and made several timely par saves before dropping a late shot with a three-putt bogey at the eighth.

“The front nine is a little trickier and has a few holes that really demand your attention,” Sandhu said. “I managed to make birdies on a couple of those holes, so that was enjoyable.”

Playing TNGF Cosmo for the first time, Sandhu said the tree-lined layout suited his eye. He also credited idlis and dosas for helping him prepare for Chennai’s humid conditions.

Overnight co-leader Stepan Danek (65-68) slipped into second at 11-under 133. The 29-year-old from the Czech Republic made six birdies and two bogeys in his 68.

Delhi’s Rashid Khan (66-68), winner of the Telangana Open two weeks ago, held third place at 10-under. His round included an eagle at the par-five 18th, four birdies and two bogeys.

Race to the DP World India Championship leader Saptak Talwar shared fourth at 9-under with Gaurav Pratap Singh and Amardeep Malik.

Defending champion N Thangaraja was tied 11th at 5-under following rounds of 69 and 70.

The cut fell at even-par 144, with 52 players from the 132-man field advancing to the weekend. The top 24 on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit will earn places in the season-ending DP World India Championship.