Kochi, 11-02-2016
M Dharma, Feroz Ali Mollah surge three shots ahead in round two
M Dharma of Bengaluru and Kolkata's Feroz Ali Mollah surged ahead on day two of the CIAL Cochin Masters presented by PGTI being played at the CIAL Golf Club in Kochi. Dharma and Feroz shot scores of six-under-66 and four-under-68 respectively to hold the joint lead at six-under-138 at the Rs. 60 lakh event. The trio of Jaipur's Vishal Singh, Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow and Noida's Gaurav Pratap Singh were tied third at three-under-141. ÂÂ
The cut was declared at five-over-149 on a day that saw early morning rain and the subsequent one-hour delay in start of play. A total of fifty-six professionals made the cut.
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M Dharma (72-66), who was overnight tied 13th as a result of his first round 72, powered his way to the top of the leaderboard after a brilliant 66 on day two. Dharma had a solid start on Thursday as he produced a terrific approach on the 11th to tap-in for birdie. However, a poor second shot on the 13th led to a bogey and pushed him back to level-par.
Dharma, a winner on the PGTI in 2013, then stitched together four successive birdies from the 14th to 17th to get on a roll. He chipped-in after missing the green on the par-3 14th and thereafter made chip-putts from the edge on the next two holes. The 29-year-old made it four birdies in a row on the 17th when he drained a 20-footer. Dharma gained two more strokes on the first and sixth where he landed his wedges within three feet.
Dharma, who finished 12th in the Rolex Ranking last year, said, “I played the par-5s well today and also came up with a few good wedge shots. The four consecutive birdies on the back-nine set me up today. I also made my longest putt in two days, the 20-footer on the 17th.
“The conditions weren't easy as the course was playing longer due to the early morning rain. I've brought the confidence from my top-3 finish at the Sri Lankan Open last week into this event. I did well on the PGTI towards to the end of last year and now want to take my game a notch higher.â€Â
Former Indian Open champion Feroz Ali Mollah (70-68) mixed six birdies and two bogeys in his second round of 68 to move up from overnight tied fifth to joint first. Mollah, placed 28th in the Rolex Ranking 2015, landed his wedges within five feet on four occasions for birdies. He also sank a 20-feet birdie putt on the eighth.
Feroz, who last won an event in 2011, said, “I recently changed my irons and I feel that has had a positive effect on my hitting. My impact during hitting is better. I believe I can win a tournament this year. I'll be looking to improve on my putting from here on.â€Â
Vishal Singh shot the tournament's best score so far, a seven-under-65, to move into joint third at three-under-141. Vishal landed it within five to seven feet on all seven occasions where he picked up birdies.
Round one joint leader Om Prakash Chouhan slipped to tied third after his second round of 73. Gaurav Pratap Singh fired a 68 to also grab a share of third place.
The Delhi trio of overnight joint leader Shivendra Singh Sisodia, Shamim Khan and Gunvir Rana were tied sixth at two-under-142.
Defending champion Mukesh Kumar (73-78) missed the cut as he totaled seven-over-151 for two days to be tied 59th.
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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