Even as Hurricane Rita continued to be uppermost in the minds of all Texans, Arjun Atwal fired an even par round to ensure yet another cut this week at the USD 3.5 million Valero Texas Open at the La Cantera Golf Club.
Atwal, tied 23rd, had three bogeys and three birdies, the last of which came on the 18th hole to finish at par 70, to be four-under for 36 holes giving himself a decent chance of touching a million dollar mark in Texas.
Atwal with USD 955,666 in earnings needs just under USD 45,000 to cross the coveted million dollar mark in earnings and that can be achieved if he finishes around 20th.
The Indian began with bogeys on second and fifth, but made up one on eight. On the back nine, he birdied 14th, but bogeyed 15th before picking up a shot on 18th.
A couple of good rounds on the last two days could see Atwal come up with yet another good finish in a season that has been very good so far.
Atwal has now made 17 cuts in 18 starts this year and the lone exception was the PGA Championships, his only appearance in a Major this year. He has had four finishes in top-10 including a tied second in Bell South Classic.
Daniel Chopra missed the cut with a second round of par 70, as the cut came at one-under 139. He was two off the cut line.
Dean Wilson, who had his career-best finish of third here last year, carded an 8-under 62 to take the lead. He was now 12-under 128 after two rounds, one stroke in front of Jeff Maggert and John Senden.
Wilson is nine strokes in front of David Duval who made his first 36-hole cut of the season.
The former world No. 1 player had missed 18 straight cuts and broken par just once this year before shooting a 1-under 69 in first round.
His second round 66 kept him in the frame, one behind the leader.
With Hurricane Rita shifting further east, no rain is expected in San Antonio over the weekend, but winds could still peak upward of 35 mph on Saturday.
First-round leader Robert Gamez had a second-round 68 and was tied for fourth with Olin Browne (65), Woody Austin (67) and Bob Heintz (65) at 130.
