Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, 10-07-2014
Rashid Khan takes flight with course record nine-under-63, fires two eagles
Delhi’s Rashid Khan took centre-stage on day two of the PGTI Kashmir Masters presented by KEO after shooting a course record nine-under-63 at the Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar. Rashid’s phenomenal round that featured two eagles, besides six birdies and a bogey, pushed him to pole position at 13-under-131 at the halfway stage. Chikkarangappa S of Bangalore occupied second place at 11-under-133.
The cut fell at three-over-147. Fifty-one professionals made the cut.
Rashid Khan (68-63) moved up to the top of the leaderboard from overnight tied sixth place after a sizzling record score of nine-under-63 on Thursday. The reigning Rolex Rankings champion was off to a terrific start as he chipped-in for eagle on the 10th. Rashid gained two more strokes on the 11th and 15th to make the turn at four-under.
The wiry 22-year-old continued to fire on all cylinders on his second-nine as well. After a birdie-bogey on the first and second, Khan had a hat-trick of birdies on the next three holes. He rounded off the day with his second chip-in eagle of the round on the seventh to end up with the course record.
“It’s great to have set a new course record. I made a lot of putts today as compared to round one. Importantly, I had a good start on both the front-nine and back-nine today. I began the day with a chip-in on the 10th and took all my chances from there on. My longest putt of the day was the 40-footer on the fourth. It was also nice to close the day with a chip-in for eagle on the seventh,” said Rashid.
He added, “I’ve being playing well since last week, having shot a seven-under at Pahalgam. Today’s round has set me up for the next two days. I don’t have a number in mind for the next two days but just want to take one round at a time and enjoy myself here.”
Chikkarangappa (65-68), the overnight leader, slipped to second place on day two. Chikka, like Rashid, also chipped-in for eagle on the seventh. He also made three birdies and a bogey in his round.
Chikka said, “The putts didn’t roll in for me today. However, I continued to strike it well. The 30-feet birdie putt on the 13th was my longest putt conversion in two weeks. I feel I have the momentum going into the last two days.”
The seasoned Jyoti Randhawa followed up his first round of 69 with a 67 in round two to be placed third at eight-under-136.
Shubhankar Sharma of Gurgaon, Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha and Delhi golfer Vinod Kumar are in joint fourth at seven-under-137.
Kolkata’s Rahil Gangjee, Khalin Joshi of Bangalore and Sri Lankan K Prabagaran are a further shot behind in tied seventh place.
Kolkata golfers SSP Chowrasia and Divyanshu Bajaj took a share of 10th place along with Delhi’s Manav Jaini at five-under-139.
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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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