Johannesburg Open: Indian golfer Bhullar makes the cut without any fuss

Johannesburg: A mid-round burst of three successive birdies saw Gaganjeet Bhullar bring in a fine four-under 67 and make the cut comfortably at the Joburg Open.

Playing on the West Course, which is considered tougher, Bhullar had six birdies against two bogeys as he moved to five-under 138 and in tied 47th place, and well inside the cut here at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.

Bhullar, who shot 71 on the East Course, found his rhythm on the West Course as he birdied second, sixth and then three times in a row from ninth to 11th. He added one more on 17th but also had two bogeys on fourth and 14th.

Bhullar has been driving and hitting his irons well as seen by the 11 fairways he has found of 14 on each of the first two days. He found 13 greens in regulation on first day and 15 on the second. Yet he needed 30 putts on both days, indicating that his putter has not been his best friend.

Italian Edoardo Molinari continued his return to form by claiming a share of the halfway lead.

The 32-year-old has been plagued by injury problems since making his Ryder Cup debut alongside brother Francesco in 2010, slipping from the Official World Golf Ranking's top 20 to World Number 220 as a result.

However, having finished inside the top 10 in Dubai last week, the former US Amateur Champion was again impressive in South Africa as a second round 68 left him tied at the top of the leaderboard with Scotland's Craig Lee on 11 under par.

Lee made 67 on the West Course, having impressed with a 65 on the East set-up on day one, as he chases a maiden European Tour title.