PERTH: South African Charl Schwartzel was the biggest casualty of the cut at the Perth International after hitting four over par for his second round yesterday to finish 14 shots behind leader Emilano Grillo.

The 2011 US Masters champion had six bogeys in his round of 76, five of which were on the opening nine, before clawing back two birdies to end with a total of three-over 147 and miss the cut at Lake Karrinyup, north of Perth, by a shot.

“I’ve enjoyed Perth a lot and hopefully I will be back soon to redeem myself,” world number 31 Schwartzel said.

Argentine Grillo, chasing his first win as a professional, carded a second-round 67 for a total of 133, four shots ahead of American Bo Van Pelt and Jason Scrivener of Australia.

“I came here just to keep my (Tour) card, if I could win, then wow,” said the 20-year-old Grillo.

He had two eagles on the front nine, holing a full wedge from 100 meters and chipping in out of a bunker. It was left to Van Pelt to fly the flag for the marquee players on whom organizers hoped to build the success of the tournament, co-sanctioned by the European and Australasian PGA Tours.

Britain’s Paul Casey threatened early in the second round before fading on the back nine with a 75 and American Jason Dufner, at 10 in the world the highest ranked player in the tournament, fought hard for a four under 67.

Van Pelt missed only three greens during his second round.

“I was driving the ball in play, and was able to take advantage of it,” he said.

“It’s a very challenging golf course and it’s fun to play. I’m very excited to be in a decent position going into the weekend.”

Kang tightens grip

In Seoul, South Korea’s Kang Kyung-Nam tightened his grip on the Kolon Korea Open with a two-under par 69 yesterday on day two of the event, giving him a three-shot lead going into the weekend.

Kang is the only player to go two rounds under par at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club course south of Seoul.

Alone in second place in the $900,000 OneAsia competition is two-time champion Kim Dae-Sub, only recently discharged from 20 months of military service, who fired a 68 to go with his first-round 72.

Sharing third at level par are American Charles Hong Chang-Kyu (71-71) and Korean Choi Ho-Sung (71-71), according to a press release from organizers.

Y.E. Yang — the first player from Asia to win a Major — was a shot further back in fifth with Brazilian Lucas Lee.

Kang, who has had two top-three finishes in OneAsia tournaments already this year, went on the defensive after bogeying the third and credits a hot putter for keeping him ahead of the pack. Second-placed Kim had to stow his clubs for nearly two years while undertaking compulsory military service, but returned to winning ways last month, just three weeks after being discharged, with victory at the Dongu Promi Open.

“I had no expectations to do well because I have only just started playing again,” said Kim.

Ramsay on top

In New Delhi, Scotland’s Richie Ramsay birdied four of his closing five holes as he raced into a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Hero Indian Open yesterday.

Ramsay, who had shared the overnight lead after the opening round, fired a second successive five-under-par 66 for 10-under-par 132 at the $1.25 million Asian Tour event in southwest India.

Thai duo Panuphol Pittayarat and Chapchai Nirat, who last won on the Asian Tour in India in 2009 where he set a new world 72-hole scoring record of 32-under-par 256, and Jaakko Makitalo of Finland returned with matching 68s to stay within touching distance of Ramsay.

Indian star Gaganjeet Bhullar, who won his fourth Asian Tour title in Macau last week, led the local charge with a round of 69 for tied sixth position and is five shots off the pace at the Karnataka Golf Association course.

Ramsay, a two-time winner in Europe, made 11 consecutive pars after his early birdie on 11 but bounced back on his homeward nine with four birdies including a tricky 25-foot downhill birdie putt on the last.

Panuphol, who is hunting for his first Asian Tour title, played blindly on the last three holes as sporadic rain in the afternoon fogged up his glasses.

The highlight of his day was three straight birdies from 14 including a chip in from 15 yards on hole 15.