There are 36 players who are yet to finish their second rounds, and with the third round draws waiting to be made, there are many who will only get to know how their Thursday will be spent on the third day’s morning.

Shiva Ram Shrestha has left himself no such uncertainties. The Nepal player, who was in joint lead after the first round, played a two birdie-two bogey, largely balanced round of a level-par 72 to stay on top of the leaderboard. With an aggregate of two-under 142, he leads the field by a shot.

Top of the list with Shrestha after the first round, Noida player Arjun Singh Chaudhri did not have that good a Wednesday afternoon, hitting four-over 76 to drop down to the tied fifth spot.

Jalandhar’s Balvinder Singh Mattu added a 72 to his first-round 71 to be in second place, at one-under 143. Australian Anthony Choat and Balpreet Singh Ghuman of Patiala share the third place, with totals of one-over 145 each.

Ajay Jadeja (80, 80) is currently placed tied 63rd at 16-over 160. The top 80 players will make the cut after round two of the final stage. At the end of round four, the top 44 and ties will earn full cards for the 2009 season.