Nuh, Haryana, 15-03-2024

Couvra edges ahead in Delhi

Angad Cheema and Akshay Sharma highest-placed Indians in tied 20th

SOURCE: CHALLENGE TOUR

PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES

Martin Couvra will take a one stroke lead into the weekend of the Delhi Challenge after signing for a five under par round of 67 on day two at Classic Golf & Country Club.

The Frenchman, who started the day tied at the top, moved into the outright lead after carding five birdies without a bogey to move to 12 under par for the week, one clear of Englishman James Allan.

The 20-year-old is no stranger to being out in front having won the Challenge de España as an amateur in 2023. That win saw him become only the seventh amateur in history to win on the Challenge Tour.

Couvra is hoping to draw on that experience over the next two days as he goes in search of a second victory and a first since turning professional.

“I know that I can win,” he said. “I just need to keep great body language, keep a great attitude and just play my game and we’ll see at the end of the week.

“The experience of last year was amazing for me. I’m finding out that it’s becoming easier to play now that I know the challenges that comes with playing on tour and how each tournament is different.”

Couvra has started the 2024 Road to Mallorca in good form, finishing tied sixth in the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open before finishing solo fourth two weeks later in the NMB Championship.

Those results see Couvra sit tenth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings ahead of back-to-back events in India, and in only the fifth event of the season, he’s pleased with where his game is at.

“My game is in really good shape and it’s good to play like this on this course,” he added. “With my game feeling as it does, it’s good to make the most of it and play well when it matters.

“I’m happy to be first on the leaderboard but I have two rounds to go, so I need to keep patient and just enjoy it.”

Scotland’s Euan Walker recorded seven birdies without a bogey, including three in his final three holes, to move into a share of third alongside Frenchman Andoni Etchenique on ten under par.

Angad Cheema (66) and Akshay Sharma (69) were the highest-placed Indians at tied 20th place with totals of seven-under 137. While Angad produced seven birdies and a bogey on Friday, Akshay came up with eight birdies and five bogeys.

Mohd Azhar (66) was the next best Indian. He was placed tied 27th at a total of six-under 138.

Sixty players including 14 Indians made the halfway cut which was declared at four-under 140.