Bengaluru, 10-08-2018
Chikkarangappa fires splendid 64 to be best-placed Indian in fourth on day two, Chawrasia one behind in fifth
Madappa, Joshi and Baisoya make it five Indians in the top-10
While Thailand’s Danthai Boonma led the field at the halfway stage of the TAKE Solutions Masters after a captivating 10-under-61 took his total to 15-under-127, the Indian duo of Chikkarangappa S and SSP Chawrasia too sparkled with scores of seven-under-64 and six-under-65 respectively to be the two best-placed Indians in fourth and fifth.
Chikka and SSP, who have played as teammates at the World Cup previously, kept Indian hopes alive at the KGA as their totals read nine-under-133 and eight-under-134 respectively.
It was a day that witnessed Boonma fire a superlative 61 that featured seven consecutive birdies on the front-nine.
Australia’s Maverick Antcliff and Argentine Miguel Carballo were in tied second at 10-under-132.
The other three Indians in the top-10 were Viraj Madappa (65) in tied sixth at seven-under-135 and Khalin Joshi (69) and Honey Baisoya (66) a further shot behind in tied eighth. PGTI member Anura Rohana (69) of Sri Lanka was also in tied eighth.
Chikka, who produced eight birdies at the cost of one bogey on Friday, said, “I spoke to Anirban (Lahiri) just a couple of days back. He is feeling solid too. I need to trust myself and have that belief. He told me that you need to go out there and enjoy yourself. And ask yourself how happy you were after the round.”
He added, “Overall I played superbly well today and my putting was really amazing. I hit the ball really good. I did a couple of changes just before this event with Mr. Sujith Somasunder on the mental aspect and also with my coach.”
“I love playing at home. I have won plenty of events at home and the kind of love and warmth you get from the people of Bangalore, it is really amazing. There is no pressure, they actually cheer you up. It doesn't matter if you win or you don't win, they are always there and come out and support you. And I really thank them for that.”
SSP carded a flawless round on Friday with three birdies each on the front-nine and back-nine.
Chawrasia, who has six Asian Tour wins, of which four have been co-sanctioned with European Tour, said, “I am looking forward to tomorrow. No pressure as such, I want to focus on my own game. This is the first event this year where I have played good golf over the first two rounds. Let's see what happens in the next two rounds.”
He added, “My old putter was a centre-shaft and the new one is hinge-shaft. It is a little differently shaped. This is my first week with the new putter. Yesterday, I couldn't make putts but today I made a couple of good putts.”
On the KGA he said, “The KGA is always in great condition; for me it is among the Top-5 courses in India.”
Interestingly, SSP’s nephew Sunit Chowrasia, a rookie on the PGTI, is also having a decent outing this week. He shot a 66 in round two to be tied 14th at five-under-137.
The cut went at one-under-141 with 69 players including 67 professionals and two amateurs making it to the weekend. Twenty-eight Indians including two amateurs made the cut.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Srinivasan H R (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
Nikhil Kalaan
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