Bhullar richer in Major experience

Gaganjeet Bhullar's attempts to become only the third Indian to play the weekend rounds of a Major championship were swept aside by wet and windy conditions yesterday morning, as he went seven-over for the second round and ended at eight-over 148 for the tournament at the 138th British Open.

Bhullar, the youngest-ever Indian at a Major, also added the honour of recording the lowest round on Major debut with his first round 71, but his 77 in second round meant he failed to join the elite company of Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa, as the only Indians to have played on the weekend at a Major.

The 21-year-old Bhullar had spent two weeks trying to get acclimatised to the local conditions and learn the nuances of Links golf, but it was in the main tournament that he finally got his lessons and they came the hard way.

With the cut likely at two or three-over, it was curtains for Bhullar, who still said: "I would say I am richer in experience rather than disappointed. It was a great lesson in Links golf.

"I think I'll do well with the experience gained and hopefully lift my maiden title on the Asian Tour," he said.