Beau Champ, Mauritius, 30-11-2018
Chikkarangappa's second round 68 placed him second, two shots off the lead, at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open
India’s Chikkarangappa S. shot a second round of four-under-68 at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open to be two shots behind the lead in second place at 12-under-132.
The lead was held by American Kurt Kitayama at 14-under-130.
The 25-year-old Chikka, who was the joint first round leader thanks to his 64 on Thursday, was in a spot of trouble after consecutive bogeys on holes 14 and 15 in round two. However, he made a fantastic recovery after the turn by sinking five birdies in a row from holes one to five. Another birdie on nine put him in lone second going into the weekend rounds.
Chikka will now be looking to improve on his best result on the Asian Tour this season which was a ninth place finish at the TAKE Solutions Masters.
Chikka said, "I started the round well; a par followed by a birdie. I just got a bit of bad luck on holes 14 and 15, where my ball got plugged in the bunker. I told myself to hit more fairways and give myself birdie opportunities, and that was what I did from hole one.
"I birdied the first hole and made birdies until hole five. That was an important run for me to get back to where I was yesterday. I putted really well. Made some solid putts on four and five. There were some tough lines and I was able to read them. Overall, it was a good front nine (holes one to nine).
"It was pretty warm out there but you’re on the ocean side, the cool breeze would come in but if you’re in the middle of the course, it can get hotter but I guess, I’m used to it. I’ve just got to hydrate myself.
"I’m looking at making my card look red. That’s the goal for this week.
"Previously, I didn’t have that confidence in my golf swing, so I had to make adjustments. I managed to do that. I was also thinking too much and I didn’t swing the way I wanted. I tweaked my swing about seven weeks back and now I feel solid about it. The last time I felt like this was about one and a half years back at the Macao Open. Since then, I’ve struggled. Looking forward, I’ve got to stay patient and just keep working on my game."
Source: Asian Tour
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