Gangjee makes cut on the line in Japan

Rahil Gangjee survived a scare on the back nine to card one-over 73 and make the halfway cut at the Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open here Friday. Gangjee squeezed into the weekend rounds on the cutline at tied 57th spot.

The top four in this event qualify for the Open in Ireland in July. Gangjee, who shot 74 in the first round, started from the 10th and birdied 14th and 16th before dropping a bogey on 17th to turn in one-under.

A birdie on third meant he was two-under for the day and even for the tournament and in a comfortable position to make the cut. Then he bogeyed fourth and fifth and yet another on ninth to go to three-over. But he made the cut, which fell on three-over.

Shugo Imahira shot 67 at The Royal Country Club to take a two-shot lead and take sole lead. Shugo, who has never made the cut in his last five Major appearances, will be playing all four Majors this season for the first time. Imahira is leading at eight under 136.

The 21-year-old Young-Woong Kim of Korea played four-under 68 and is lying second at six-under 138, while 31-year-old Ryutaro Nagana (70) is third at five-under 139.