By Matt Smith
Dubai-based Indian Shiv Kapur kept up his challenge at the Asian Tour International Series England at Slaley Hall on Friday, with a second-round 70 that took him to five-under for the tournament, one off the clubhouse lead held by South African Justin Harding and South Korea’s Joohyung Kim.

Harding shot a tremendous 66 in difficult conditions just outside Newcastle in a historic event — marking the Asian Tour’s first ever tournament in the UK.

As the golfers push for glory and a slice of the $2 million purse, there is also the added incentive of the top five golfers booking a place at next week’s money-spinning LIV Golf Individual Series opener at Centurion Club, just outside London.

Before the afternoon starters headed out, Kapur was tied-third alongside Zimbabwean Scott Vincent — who arrived in Newcastle after a 24-hour journey from Japan, without his clubs — and Japan’s Kosuke Hamamoto. While Kapur and co looked on from the clubhouse, no one could catch Harding and Joohyung, with South African Neil Schietekat, Thai pair Kosuke Hamamoto and Kasidit Lepkurte, and Chang Wei-lun from Chinese Taipei joining Kapur on one-under ahead of the third round.

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