By Rahul Banerji
Akshay Sharma continued his good form with a career-best 9-under 61 to hold the clubhouse lead on the rain-affected first day of the Golconda Masters at the Hyderabad Golf Association on Wednesday.
Mysore’s Yashas Chandra and Ravi Kumar from Chandimandir, Haryana, were tied second in the clubhouse courtesy their 7-under 63s on the opening day of the Rs. 1 crore event, the PGTI said.
From a field of 126, 12 could not complete their first rounds as play was suspended due to a heavy downpour. The 12 players will resume their opening rounds early on Thursday.
Chandigarh’s Sharma, runner-up in Vizag last week, had a whirlwind start with six birdies on the front nine including five on the trot from the fifth to the ninth holes.
The two-time PGTI winner produced two exceptional chip shots, converted everything within 10 feet and also sank a 25-footer on his outward nine.
On the back nine, a bogey on 12 was quickly shrugged off as the 33-year-old picked up four more shots firing it to within five feet twice and also finding the green with his drive on the par-4 14th.
Finding rhythm
Akshay said, “I’m delighted to have shot the lowest score of my career, improving on my previous best of eight-under.
“I’ve been feeling the rhythm in my game since the start of the second half of the season in Chennai last month. I was in with a good chance last week in Vizag but one bad hole on the final day put paid to my chances.
“My ball-striking is getting better with each passing week and today my putter was also hot. The five consecutive birdies on the front nine were a big boost. Importantly, I’ve been putting myself in contention regularly.”
Yashas Chandra and Ravi Kumar carded eight birdies and a bogey each during their rounds of 63.
Gaurav Pratap Singh, Daksh Shokeen, and Kapil Kumar were tied for fourth on 64s.
Hyderabad’s Mohd Azhar was one of four players sharing seventh place on 65, the best among those from the host city.
Among prominent names in the fray, Aman Raj shot a 66, Tata Steel PGTI Rankings leader Om Prakash Chouhan had a 68, Rahil Gangjee returned a 69 while Udayan Mane posted 76.
Pro Am win
On Tuesday, Yashas Chandra led his team to victory at the Pro-Am event. The winning team included amateurs Dr. Sameer Mahendra, Gaddipati Sanjay Chowdary and Ananth Sridhar Reddy..
Sachin Baisoya and his team consisting of Bhaskar Reddy, Ranadhir Reddy Gurram and Rajender Reddy Gaddam were the runners-up.
The contest for the closest to the pin on hole no. 7 was won by Srinath Reddy Kottam who landed it within seven feet, six inches of the pin.
The contest for the closest to the pin on hole no. 16 was won by Dayakar Reddy at six feet from the pin.
The prize for the straightest drive on hole no. 5 went to Vilok Gadwal who was within one foot and five inches from the centre of the fairway.
The prize for the longest drive on hole no. 17 went to Vihaan Reddy whose tee shot was measured at 300 yards.
Also read: Thangaraja outwits rivals to end long title wait at Vizag Open
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