Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) shares second place at eight under par after the second round of the $2 million International Series – Morocco on the Asian Tour. Bhullar, 36, a recipient of the Dubai Golden VISA Award, started with a first-round 70 and improved with a five-under par 68 in the second round, playing over the par 73, 7,596 yards course. He recorded six birdies and only one bogey on hole 10, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation.

"I played well today and made some important putts," Bhullar commented after the round. "I enjoy this course layout; it fits my game. I've played here before, two years ago."

Leading the pack by one stroke is John Catlin (US) with scores of 66 and 71. Five players, including Bhullar, are trailing by just one shot. Catlin, 33, currently tops the Asian Tour Order of Merit and boasts 13 professional wins, including the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on the DP World Tour. He recently participated in the LIV Golf League, finishing joint 24th in Houston and tied for seventh in Nashville, and is set to compete in the next event at Valderrama.

Catlin remarked, "It was alright; I wish I had been a bit sharper. It felt slightly off, but I managed to stay competitive and maintain my position on the leaderboard. That was crucial for me. I aimed to make a four on 18 and secure a spot in the final group."

Rayhan Thomas (Ind), born in Dubai, scored a second-round 73, placing him at four under par and tied for 15th after two rounds. After a first-round 69, Thomas, who turned pro just over a month ago, had a good start with a birdie on hole five and maintained consistency with eight pars, finishing the front nine in 35. He added another birdie on hole 12 but suffered a double bogey on holes 14 and 15, which he offset with a birdie on hole 17 to end the day even.

The cut was set at level par, allowing 69 players to advance to the weekend. The third round is scheduled for today (Saturday), with play in threesomes and the leaders teeing off last at 10:30 am local time (Morocco). This week's tournament marks the eighth event of the season on the Asian Tour and the third of 10 stops on The International Series.

Round Two Leading Scores (Par 73, 7,596 Yards): J. Catlin (US) 66, 71, 137; G. Bhullar (Ind) 70, 68, 138; J. Kozuma (Jap) 68, 70, 138; M. Tabuena (Phi) 67, 71, 138; T. Smyth (Aus) 69, 69, 138; B. Campbell (NZ) 68, 70, 138.

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