New Delhi, 18-03-2016
SSP Chawrasia rises to tied second with second straight 67
Rashid Khan also in the hunt in tied sixth
India’s SSP Chawrasia ended round two of the Hero Indian Open in tied second place after a second consecutive round of five-under-67. Chawrasia totalled 10-under-134 at the halfway stage and thus made a gain of three spots from his overnight tied fifth.
Australian Terry Pilkadaris shot a brilliant 64 to take the halfway lead at 13-under-131.
The halfway cut was set at even-par-144 with a total of 74 players qualifying for the weekend. A total of 21 Indians, including 20 professionals and one amateur, made the cut.
Defending champion and reigning Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri fired a 71 to sit in 14th place, seven shots behind Pilkadaris.
Chawrasia had six birdies and one bogey on fourth, but in the closing stages of the round, he had to fight hard not to drop shots. Putting was the key for him. “I have played here at the Delhi Golf Club many times, so I know how to play on this course. On two holes (11th and 14th), I made very good saves. The way I was hitting, I thought I would make birdies, but then I had to work a bit to get the birdies. The birdie on the 11th was about 15 feet and the one of the 14th was about 14-feet”, he said.
“On the 11th the ball went to the left, but there was some space for swing. So I had to shorten the swing, but I managed to find the green. Also on the 17th, I had to putt from the edge of the green to hold par. I hit a good shot, but the tailwind carried the ball over the green. So I had to make an up and down. So, whenever I got into a sticky situation, my putting saw me through”, added Chawrasia.
Local lad Rashid (69-68) had seven birdies and three bogeys. Rashid, whose first Asian Tour win came at this course, said, “I’m putting really good but if I can find more greens then I think I can do well. Normally people struggle with the tee shots but I’m hitting my driver long and straight. I’m just a little confused with my irons. That’s my problem right now. I need some practice to control my distance.”
He added, “The Hero Indian Open means a lot to me, especially when I’m playing the event at my home course. I want to do well in front of my friends and family. This is one event that every Indian golfer wants to win at least once in a lifetime.”
Defending champion, Anirban Lahiri, Shiv Kapur, and Sanjay Kumar are tied 14th at a total of five-under-139, while Honey Baisoya is a further shot back in tied 21st. Five Indians, including former champion, Arjun Atwal, Rahil Gangjee, Mukesh Kumar, Shamim Khan and amateur Arjun Prasad are all in tied 30th at three-under-141.
Jeev Milkha Singh (one-under-143) ensured some weekend action with a last hole birdie and when he walked off the course, he thought he had just made it. Later it turned out the cut was even-par, and among those missing it was three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland.
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