Dhaka, Bangladesh, 11-02-2016
Chikka, Bhullar, Shubhankar in tied third, three off lead
Gangjee & Bajaj also in top-10
The Indian trio of Chikkarangappa S (68-66), Shubhankar Sharma (66-68) and five-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar (67-67) took a share of third place at eight-under-134, on day two of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open in Dhaka. The three Indians were placed three shots behind leader Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand.
Chikkarangappa had a slow start to the round where he nailed only one birdie against eight pars to turn in 34. He dropped a shot on 10 but bounced back gallantly with a birdie-birdie-eagle starting from 12 before closing with a 25-footer birdie putt on 18.
“I played alright on the front nine. I stumbled with a bogey on 10 and I didn’t hit a good drive on 11 but the turning point came on the 12. I holed a 15-footer for birdie and made a second straight birdie on 13 before chipping in for eagle from just off the green on 14,” said the 22-year-old Indian with two Asian Development Tour (ADT) titles under his belt.
“I am just going to stick to my game for the next two rounds. I have been in contention before and I just want to stick through it. It’s all about being patient, staying calm and relax. I just want to enjoy myself out there,” added Chikkarangappa, who moved up 11 places from overnight tied 14th.
Shubhankar Sharma gained one place from his overnight tied fourth as a result of his second round 68. The rookie made five birdies and a double-bogey on Thursday.
Gaganjeet Bhullar produced a second straight 67 to soar from overnight tied seventh to tied third. His second round featured seven birdies and three bogeys.
Rahil Gangjee (69-67) and Rahul Bajaj (67-69) made it five Indians in the top-10 as they were both placed joint 10th at six-under-136.
Abhijit Chadha was tied 27th at three-under-139 while Sujjan Singh and Shankar Das held tied 43rd place at one-under-141.
Khalin Joshi and Amardip Sinh Malik were a further shot back in tied 53rd.
A total of 70 players made the halfway cut set at one-over-143 at the Kurmitola Golf Club.
The Indians who missed the cut were, Abhinav Lohan (two-over-144), Honey Baisoya (two-over-144), Ashok Kumar (five-over-147) and Udayan Mane (six-over-148).
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