Whiteford leads at India's Avantha Masters

Peter Whiteford used a 4-under-par 68 Friday to build on his lead halfway through the European Tour's Avantha Masters in India. Whiteford, despite back-to-back bogeys, is at 10-under 134 after 36 holes. He's two strokes ahead of Prom Meesawat, whose 8-under 64 Friday came after a first-round 72. Meesawat had five birdies in the final six holes of a bogey-free second round. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (69 Friday), Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (69), Chapchai Nirat (67) and Kieran Pratt (66) are tied for third at 7-under 137. Eight players are at 6-under. First-round co-leader Alejandro Canizares, after a 1-over 73, is among those at 5-under. Whiteford started on the 10th hole at the DLF Golf and Country Club and had a birdie at the par-3 11th hole but then had bogeys at 12 and 13. He managed to make the turn at 1-under after birdies at 15 and 18. A birdie at the fourth hole was followed by a bogey at the fifth hole -- his second there in as many days. But he reached the 538-yard, par-5 sixth hole in two and dropped a 30-foot eagle putt. He added a birdie at No. 8.