Amandeep Johl returned a card of two-under 70 to emerge sole leader at the end of the half-way stage of the Rs 600,000 Sir Padampat Singhania Open at the par-72 Noida Golf Course, on Thursday.

Delhi lad Jaiveer Virk came up with a sizzling round of five-under 67 and was placed at second position at two-under 144. He trails the leader by three stokes.

Amritinder Singh And Rahil Gangjee shot an identical card of 71 each to share the third position. The duo were level par after 36 holes.

The No. 1 player on the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour Order of Merit list Mukesh Kumar was in joint fifth along with four others -- Zai Kipgen, Vivek Bhandari, winner of the last event SSP Chowrasia and veteran Rohtas Singh.

As many as 52 professionals made it to the money-making rounds after the cut was applied at 14 over par 158.

Joining the pros were four amateurs -- Gagan Verma, Sujan Singh, Chirag Kumar and Ankur Prakash.

Amandeep Johl began with a birdie and collected two more on the sixth and eighth while bogeying the sixth to take the turn at two-under. A bogey-birdie finish on the 12th and 14th respectively helped the Chandigarh pro to surge ahead.

"I was driving poorly and the winds weren't helping either. I was very lucky to escape with a under-par card," said the SAIL-sponsored golfer.

However, the day belonged to Jaiveer Virk. Belying his small built, the Delhi pro braved the strong winds to come up trumps. Starting from the 10th tee, Jaiveer fired an eagle on the par-5 14th. Using a driver and a three-iron for his approach shot, the thinly built pro sank a 12-footer from the left of the pin.

On the return journey, Jaiveer who plays at the Delhi Golf Course, made three birdies on the second, fourth and fifth. He also made a good up and down to save a par on his finishing hole.

"It is a relief to have a good round after many days," said Jaiveer, who had 25 putts today. "I am hitting the ball well and if I can do the same on the next two days, I should be in the top five atleast," he added.

Scores (after 36 holes): 139_Amandeep Johl (69, 70); 142_Jaiveer Virk (75, 67); 144_Amritinder Singh (73, 71), Rahil Gangjee (73, 71); 145_Zai Kipgen (72 73), Mukesh Kumar (71, 74), Vivek Bhandari (71, 74), SSP Chpwrasia (70, 75), Rohtas Singh (69, 76); 147_Nabin Mondal (75, 72), RS Gotra (73,74), Monish Bindra (71, 76).