Shah Alam, Malaysia, 25-02-2016
Chikka in joint lead at halfway stage in Malaysia
Overnight leader Chikkarangappa S of India followed up his first round eight-under-64 with a sedate even-par-72 in round two of the PGM Northport Glenmarie Championship to share the lead with Malaysia’s Gavin Green (65-71) at the halfway stage on Thursday.
Trailing by one going into the round, Green marked his card with five birdies against two bogeys and a double-bogey for a two-shot joint lead at a total of eight-under-136 along with Chikkarangappa at the Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
The 2014 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit winner Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand battled to a 72 to share third place with local hope Mohd Iylia Jamil, who registered a 71, in the RM200,000 (approximately US$46,600) event.
Chikkarangappa, a two-time winner on the region’s burgeoning Tour, was delighted to hold on to a share of the lead after battling through the windy conditions in the afternoon.
The 22-year-old Indian, who played in the same group as Green, capped a similar front nine 35 as the Malaysian before dropping two shots with a double-bogey on 10th. He recovered swiftly with a birdie on the next and reeled in seven straight pars for a battling round of 72.
“I got off to a bad start but I managed to steady the ship after that. The wind was up in the afternoon and I wasn’t able to drop as many putts as I did yesterday but overall, I am still hitting it good.
“The highlight of the round came on the par-four seventh where I sank a 20-footer left to right for birdie. I look forward to the next two rounds and playing with Gavin (Green) again tomorrow,” said Chikkarangappa, who enjoyed a tied-fourth finish on the Asian Tour in Bangladesh a fortnight ago.
A total of 57 players made the halfway cut set at one-over-145 at the PGM Northport Glenmarie Championship, which is the fifth leg of the ADT schedule this season.
Source: Asian Development Tour
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