Bangalore, 13-02-2014
Mithun Perera holds on to the lead with a clinical 66
Lahiri posts day's best 65 for second place, Shaikh makes hole-in-one
Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka held on to his overnight two-shot lead after returning a clinical six-under-66 in round two of the PGTI Eagleburg Open being played at Eagleton – The Golf Resort near Bangalore. Perera’s total score thus moved to 13-under-131. Bangalore’s Anirban Lahiri shot the day’s best score of seven-under-65 to close the day in second place at 11-under-133.
The cut fell at one-over-145. Fifty-one professionals made the cut.
Mithun Perera (65-66) followed up his first round 65 with a superb 66 in round two to maintain his two-stroke lead. The bogey on the 13th was the only blip on his card. Perera turned it on from the 17th with his first birdie of the round. He went on to pick up another one after a 20-feet conversion on the 18th. He then landed his shots within five feet of the flag for four straight birdies from the fourth to the seventh and another on the ninth. The 28-year-old is now 35-under from his last six rounds.
Mithun said, “I didn’t have a great start to the day but I finished well. I’ve played much better on the front-nine this week compared to the back-nine. The wedges come into play more often on the front-nine and I’ve played some good wedge shots over the last two days. My best shot of the day came on the fifth where I landed my approach within one and a half feet of the pin. The aim will be to play an under-par round on day three so that I can keep the momentum going and set myself up for the final round. This is Anirban’s home course and he has the local knowledge. I’ll have to play my best to stay ahead.”
Anirban Lahiri (68-65) climbed from overnight tied fourth to second place after a flawless 65 on Thursday. The highest-ranked Indian in the world made three birdies on his back-nine and added four more on the front-nine. He sank a 15-footer for birdie on the 14th and left himself a tap-in for birdie after a brilliant second shot on the fifth. Playing at his home course, Lahiri is now looking for his fifth win in five starts on the PGTI.
“My hitting was even more consistent than day one. I didn’t make too many putts though. I need to make more 10 to 12 feet putts over the next two days in order to catch up with Mithun who is in tremendous form. It seems like a two-horse race right now. Mithun will be a tough competitor as he has the confidence from last week’s win and also has a great temperament. This week I got the opportunity to fine-tune certain aspects of my game with my coach. This maintenance work on my swing and technique would certainly improve my game further in the coming months” said Anirban.
Bangalore’s R Murthy fired a 69 to end the day in joint third at seven-under-137 along with Pune’s Moinuddin Malak, Vijay Kumar of Lucknow and Sri Lankan N Thangaraja.
Himmat Singh Rai of the DLF Golf & Country Club is in tied seventh place at six-under-138 along with Delhi golfers Shamim Khan and Manav Jaini and Mukesh Kumar of Mhow.
Sameer M Shaikh of Pune made a hole-in-one on the 12th after his seven-iron tee shot bounced just short and rolled into the hole. Shaikh shot a 73 in round two to occupy tied 36th place at even-par-144.
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.
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