Md Zamal Hossain Mollah tees off at Golmuri Golf Course on Friday, the third day of the 12th Tata Open tournament. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh pulled off a scintillating performance to take the sole lead after round two of the 12th Tata Open tournament at Golmuri Golf Course on Friday.

Zamal fired a 7-under 64, the day’s best score, to take a phenomenal leap to the top of the table from his 17th position on Day One. Halfway through the tournament, his total score is 9-under 134.

Delhi’s Manav Jaini, Jamshedpur-based amateur Karan Taunk and M. Dharma of Bangalore are tied in the second place at 7-under 136.

On Thursday, one half of the field had teed off from Beldih, while the other half had completed its round in Golmuri.

On Friday, the players switched their venues.

Twenty-eight-year-old Zamal from Dhaka, who has won the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) in the past, was elated with his performance.

“My approach shots were very accurate today. I was also good from around the green as I played some quality chip shots. I drove it well and kept it straight with my irons. It’s a great position to be in after two rounds. I have generally played well in Jamshedpur and that adds to my confidence,” he said.

Zamal added that with just two events left in the season, he would like to make the best of his opportunities this week.

Jaini and local favourite Taunk, both of whom played in Beldih on Friday, are just two strokes behind the leader.

Gurgaon’s Digvijay Singh, the overnight leader, carded a 2-over 74 at Beldih to slip into joint fifth place at 6-under 137 along with Delhi golfers Ashok Kumar and Chiragh Kumar and Lucknow’s Vijay Kumar.

Defending champion Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka is tied at the 19th position with a dismal 3-under 140. Perera played in Golmuri on Friday.

The nine-hole Beldih and the 18-hole Golmuri courses are hosting the five-day event, jointly organised by Tata Steel and PGTI.