Noida, 04-08-2016
Honey Baisoya burns the course with a 65, pulls away into a two-shot lead
Local lad Amardip Sinh Malik shares second place with C Muniyappa
Delhi’s Honey Baisoya shot the tournament’s best score so far, a seven-under-65, to pull away into a two-shot lead on day two of the TAKE Solutions Classic at the Noida Golf Course. Baisoya’s two-day total stood at seven-under-137.
Noida’s Amardip Sinh Malik returned a 67 to climb into joint second along with first round leader C Muniyappa (72) of Bengaluru at five-under-139.
The cut was declared at five-over-149. Fifty-four professionals made the money rounds.
Honey Baisoya’s (72-65) error-free effort on Thursday pushed him up from overnight tied 15th to sole leader. The 19-year-old, still recovering from a wrist injury and suffering from fever since the last two days, surprised himself on day two, as he landed five shots within five feet.
Baisoya, who hails from a family of golfers, began his birdie run with a chip-in on sixth which was followed by a 25-feet conversion on the next hole. He sank a third straight birdie on the eighth.
The teenager, ranked 21st on the PGTI last year, set up short birdie putts for himself on four occasions on the back-nine, all of which he converted. He also had a notable par-save after recovering from the trees on the 15th.
A confident Honey, gunning for his maiden PGTI title, said, “If I can play like this while still down with fever, it certainly gives me the belief to do even better over the last two rounds. My iron-hitting was good and I kept landing it close.
“Importantly, I just fully recovered from a wrist injury about a week back. I haven’t really practiced at the range since my recovery but instead played rounds to get into the groove.
“I had a fabulous 2015 where I finished 21st in the Rolex Ranking thanks to two top-10s. I feel I’m regaining that kind of form once again.”
Amardip Sinh Malik (72-67) kept the local hopes alive with a 67 that featured an eagle and three birdies. His lone eagle and three birdie conversions, all came from a distance of four feet.
While Malik, who hit 15 regulations, didn’t concede any shots, he missed out on three birdie opportunities from five feet.
“This is my home course but I don’t feel that has given me any advantage this week since the course is playing very different from what it does usually. The tees have been pushed back and the wind is up.
“However, I won my first tournament at the Noida Golf Course, and that does have a positive effect, every time I tee it up here,” said Malik.
C Muniyappa (67-72) conceded his overnight lead and slipped to joint second after a 72 on day two. Muniyappa struggled with his driving in round two and therefore mixed four bogeys and a double bogey with an eagle and four birdies.
Rashid Khan (69) of Delhi was a further stroke back at four-under-140 in fourth place.
Gurgaon’s Shubhankar Sharma (72) and Bengaluru’s Khalin Joshi (70) occupied tied ninth at one-under-143.
Bengaluru lad Chikkarangappa (70) was placed tied 23rd at two-over-146.
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.
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