KARACHI, Jan 19: England’s Simon Hurd continued his inspirational run in the second round after a bogey free seven-under-par 65 at the Pakistan Open on Friday. After a consistent opening round, Hurd remained calm and collected six birdies for an 11-under-par 133 total at the US$300,000 event. Malaysia’s Airil Rizman Zahari remained in lone second position after a 68 two strokes off the pace.

Australia’s Scott Hend, who is a former US PGA Tour player, was in joint third when he improved with a 66 at the Karachi Golf Club to tie alongside Scotsman Barry Hume and India’s Uttam Singh Mundy as both players fired matching 68s for a 136 total. Ashok Kumar shot six birdies for a 66 as the Indian talent stood in sixth spot on 137.

Local player Mohammad Shabbir slid down the ranks as he was even-par for the day to a 138 total in joint seventh place.

“The deciding factor for me is that I had time off the game. I am coming here with a free mind now and just play the game with a smile on my face, and enjoy it,” said Hurd, who shot birdies on the second, seventh, ninth holes. He was on a roll with three straight birdies on the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes and ended his commanding run with a final birdie at the 16th hole.

Leading second round scores

133 - Simon Hurd (ENG) 68-65

135 - Airil Rizman Zahari (MAS) 67-68

136 - Scott Hend (AUS) 70-66, Uttam Singh Mundy ( IND ) 68-68, Barry Hume (SCO) 68-68

137 - Ashok Kumar ( IND ) 71-66

138 - Shane Baxter (AUS) 70-68, Olle Nordberg (SWE) 72-66, Mohammad

Shabbir (PAK) 66-72, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 71-67, Yeh Chang-ting (TPE) 69-69

139 - Lin Chien-bing (TPE) 69-70, Gavin Flint (AUS) 71-68, Tony Lascuna (PHI) 70-69, Mark Mouland (WAL) 70-69, Imdad Hussain (PAK) 70-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 69-70, Jarrod Moseley (AUS) 72-67

140 - Richard Lee (NZL) 68-72, Guido Van Der Valk (NLD) 72-68, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 73-67, Jim Seki (USA) 71-69, Vivek Bhandari (IND) 68-72, Amardip Malik (IND) 69-71, Rick Gibson (CAN) 69-71, Digvijay Singh (IND) 71-69. —Agencies