Noida, 03-08-2016
Gritty Muniyappa defies injury concerns to take early advantage at TAKE Solutions Classic
The second half of the PGTI’s 2016 season got off to a cracking start with Bengaluru’s C Muniyappa returning a dogged five-under-67 to take the early advantage at the inaugural TAKE Solutions Classic being played at the Noida Golf Course. Muniyappa was two ahead of the rest as rookie Sachin Baisoya of Delhi and Meerut’s Sudhir Sharma occupied joint second place at three-under-69.
On a day that saw the weather conditions change several times from bright and sunny to cloudy and overcast, Muniyappa defied recent injury concerns to put up the day’s best score. The former Indian Open champion hit his straps early with four birdies on the front-nine against a lone bogey.
The 39-year-old Bengaluru lad, who is a winner of two titles, seemed to roll in putts at will especially from a range of 10 to 15 feet as he added another four birdies to his card at the expense of two bogeys on the inward nine.
Muniyappa’s opening round effort was all the more special as he has been troubled by a lower back injury for the last 10 days which resurfaced after a gap of seven months.
“An old lower back injury came back to trouble me just about 10 days back as I felt a lot of pain. I’m feeling much better now after getting Ayurvedic treatment. The injury has restricted my back movement but hasn’t really hampered my swing.
Muniyappa, placed 12th in the Rolex Ranking as a result of two top-5s earlier in the year, added, “Today’s round gives me the ideal start to the second half of the season. I’m playing with a new driver this week after four years and so far it seems to have had a positive effect on my game.
“Driving is my strength at the moment. The most heartening aspect of my game in recent times has been the fact that I’ve added distance to my drives and have become more consistent in that department,” said Muniyappa.
Sachin Baisoya, playing his first season as a professional, made four birdies against a lone bogey on Wednesday to be two off the lead. The highlight of his round was a 20-feet conversion on the 16th.
Baisoya, currently second on the PGTI Emerging Player of the Year list, was a picture of confidence as far as his driving was concerned. He didn’t pull out the driver on the opening day and only teed off with the 3-wood.
“It’s my rookie season on the PGTI and I’ve played some good golf so far. My uncle and fellow professional Vinod Kumar took me under his wings few years back and taught me the nuances of the game. He’s prepared me well for the pro circuit.
“I’m a long hitter and that worked to my advantage today. I did well in negotiating the windy conditions on the back-nine,” said Vinod.
Sudhir Sharma shared second place with Baisoya in round one as he mixed six birdies with three bogeys. He was the leading player from the host state of Uttar Pradesh on day one.
Fourth place was shared by Jaipur’s Vishal Singh, Delhi golfers Gaurav Ghei and Shamim Khan and the Chandigarh duo of Sujjan Singh and Feroz Singh Garewal at two-under-70.
Gaurav Pratap Singh was the highest-placed golfer from Noida at tied ninth with a score of one-under-71.
Pre-tournament favourites Rashid Khan of Delhi and Gurgaon’s Shubhankar Sharma, the current Rolex Ranking leader, also took a share of ninth position.
Noida’s Amardip Sinh Malik was in tied 15th at even-par-72 along with Delhi’s Himmat Singh Rai.
Reigning Rolex Ranking champion Chikkarangappa, another tournament favourite, shot a four-over-76 to be tied 69th.
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. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
Nikhil Kalaan
Media Manager - PGTI
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Email: media@pgtofindia.com
