Peter Whiteford gives himself best possible chance of maiden tour title

PETER WHITEFORD might never have a better opportunity to land his first European Tour title than he does this weekend.

The 31-year-old Scot is 10 under par at halfway in the Avantha Masters in New Delhi and leads by two from Thai golfer Prom Meesawat. In an event which does not feature any of the world’s top 60, the 236th-ranked Whiteford added an eventful 68 to his opening 66.

His round included an eagle and five birdies, but also three bogeys – two of them during “freezing cold” conditions just after he teed off.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had two good rounds in a row,” said Whiteford, whose previous best finish on the circuit was runner-up in the 2010 Andalucian Open.

“It was a lot harder first thing. The ball wasn’t going anywhere at that time in the morning and I had a bit of a sticky patch, but then had a decent back nine. I wouldn’t say the swing feels brilliant, but sometimes you play your best golf when you’re struggling a wee bit.

“I just need a good round today to be in contention come Sunday.”

Former world junior champion Meesawat birdied five of the last six holes for a best-of-the-week 64.

The last of them, on the long 18th, took him a stroke ahead of compatriots Chapchai Nirat and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Australian Kieran Pratt and France’s Jean-Baptiste Gonnet.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson is four strokes behind.