Jamshedpur, 19-12-2014
Om Prakash Chouhan leads at halfway stage of 13th TATA Open
Mhow golfer Om Prakash Chouhan took the lead in round two of the 13th TATA Open after firing a five-under-67 at Beldih Golf Club on Friday. Chouhan, who had shot a four-under-67 in the first round at Golmuri Golf Club, took his two-day total to nine-under-134. Delhi’s Shamim Khan carded a six-under-65 at Golmuri to be placed second at eight-under-135.
On Thursday one half of the field had played its 18 holes at the par-72 Beldih Golf Club while the golfers in the other half had completed their rounds at the par-71 Golmuri Golf Club. On Friday both halves of the field switched venues (those who played at Beldih on day one, played 18 holes at Golmuri on day two and vice-versa).
The cut was declared at two-over-145. Fifty-three professionals made the cut.
Om Prakash Chouhan, who began day two in tied third place, had a quiet front-nine as he birdied the third and bogeyed the eighth as a result of a three-putt. Chouhan, currently second in the Rolex Rankings, picked up the pace on the back-nine with five birdies. The 28-year-old landed it within five feet for birdies on the 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th and 18th. Om Prakash, a three-time winner on the PGTI, will be looking for a victory at Jamshedpur in order to take the lead in the Rolex Rankings.
Chouhan said, “I felt my hitting and putting was better in round two as compared to round one. I played some excellent wedge shots to set up birdies on the back-nine. Had my chip not lipped-out on the 16th I would’ve had an eagle there. I’ve always played well at Jamshedpur and finished in the top-10 in the last two editions of the TATA Open. I’m keen to produce another top performance this year. This has been my best season so far as I’ve won a title, finished runner-up on two occasions and had five other top-10s. I want to keep the momentum going in the last two events of the season.”
Shamim Khan was one stroke off the lead in second place. He followed up his first round two-under-70 at Beldih with a bogey-free six-under-65 at Golmuri on day two.
Bangalore’s C Muniyappa occupied third place at seven-under-136 post his round of five-under-66 at Golmuri.
Gurgaon-based Abhishek Kuhar and Delhi’s Karan Vasudeva shared fourth place at six-under-137.
Rolex Rankings leader Chikkarangappa of Bangalore was a further shot behind in tied sixth spot along with the DLF Golf & Country Club trio of Himmat Singh Rai, Shubhankar Sharma and Digvijay Singh.
Jamshedpur’s Karan Taunk was placed tied 21st at two-under-141 while defending champion M Dharma of Bangalore was in tied 36th at one-over-144.
Navtez Singh, another Jamshedpur-based professional, occupied tied 62nd position at four-over-147.
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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