Greater Noida, 31-08-2024

Joakim Haeggman continues at the top, Jeev Milkha Singh hot on the leader’s heels in second

Jyoti Randhawa in third place

While Swede Joakim Haeggman continued in the lead courtesy his two-under 70 in round two, tournament host Jeev Milkha Singh raised Indian hopes after he fired a second straight four-under 68, the day’s best score, to be hot on the leader’s heels in second place at the US$ 500,000 HSBC India Legends Championship 2024 hosted by Jeev Milkha Singh being played at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida.

Haeggman (65-70), who led by two shots after round one, totaled nine-under 135 to be atop the leaderboard once again even as Jeev (68-68) moved up one spot from his overnight tied third and reduced the leader’s advantage to one shot as his total read eight-under 136.

Jyoti Randhawa (68-72) was the second Indian in the top-3 after his second round of 72 placed him third at four-under 140 at the event co-sanctioned by the Legends Tour and the PGTI.

Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time Asia No. 1, enjoyed a much better day with the putter as compared to round one as he drained some long putts including a 30-footer for birdie on the first and a 20-footer for par on the closing ninth. Jeev made four more birdies and a bogey.

Jeev, a 13-time international winner, said, “I felt like my body wasn't keeping up with me today, especially on the back nine. Maybe, I needed more energy. So, the last three holes were really difficult for me because I wasn't able to do what I really wanted to. But I got away with it.

“I guess, I need to load myself with more electrodes tomorrow when I'm on the golf course. The last hole par was special because I hit a bad bunker shot and I holed a good 20-feet putt.

“Today was a much better putting day for me as compared to the first round. Shooting two four-unders on this golf course and in this weather, I would take it any day. I'll just go out there tomorrow and give it my best shot,” added Singh, who is searching for his maiden title on the Legends Tour.

Nine-time international winner Jyoti Randhawa, who was overnight tied third, ended the penultimate round in lone third place despite a 72 to give himself a fair chance on the final day. Randhawa made six birdies and six bogeys on a day that turned out to be topsy-turvy for him.

Jyoti said, “It was an up and down round. I think I just wanted to play well today. I've got myself under pressure or tension, you could call it. You're trying to score a good round. That's why it just kept going up and down.

“However, having said that, it's not that easy to play in the afternoon. The greens have gotten really hard, and the grain is affecting the ball a lot. Not very easy to putt on. Today I think I left a lot of putts short. But, tomorrow's another day.”

Amandeep Johl and Mukesh Kumar were the other two Indians in the top-20 as they were both placed tied 18th at two-over 146.

Vishal Singh occupied tied 39th place at seven-over 151 while Sanjay Kumar, Digvijay Singh, Vijay Kumar and Harmeet Kahlon were further down the leaderboard.

Frenchman Marc Farry made a hole-in-one on the third during his round of 76. He was placed tied 52nd at 10-over 154.