Akshay Sharma pulls ahead after round two of Coimbatore Open

Coimbatore Open day two leader Akshay Sharma of Chandigarh tees off on hole 10 of the Coimbatore Golf Club on Thursday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Chandigarh golfer Akshay Sharma held a two-shot lead after returning a flawless 7 under par 65 in round two of the Rs 1 crore KGiSL presents Coimbatore Open on Thursday.

Sharma, who had an opening 69, led the field 10 under par 134 at the Coimbatore Golf Club, the PGTI said.

Gurgaon’s Manu Gandas (71-65) was second with a bogey-free 65 of his own while Dubai-based rookie Rayhan Thomas, playing his first PGTI event was tied for third with fellow-rookie Shaurya Bhattacharya (71) of Delhi

Thomas posted a 67 on day two to total 7 under 137 alongside Bhattacharya with a bogey-free round.  

The cut fell at 2 over 146 with 61 professionals making it through to the money rounds.

Sharma, tied ninth overnight three strokes off the lead, kickstarted his round with a birdie chip-in on the second hole.

The two-time PGTI winner then had a tap-in birdie on the par-3 fourth after an excellent tee shot, added a third from close range on the sixth and converted a 12-footer for eagle on the ninth to make the turn at an impressive 5 under.

The 33-year-old’s two birdies on the back nine came from a 15-foot conversion and a phenomenal chip that stopped a foot from the hole.

Calm spell

“I took full advantage on the front nine today as the conditions were calm while I was playing that stretch,” Sharma said.

“The wind picked up later and there were fewer scoring opportunities for me on the back nine.

“Importantly, I made all fairways today except one and hit 14 greens in regulation. It’s always quite satisfying to play a bogey-free round.

“I did well to not make any mistakes today. I enjoy playing at Coimbatore as I’ve done well here. That always helps the confidence.”

Aadil Bedi shot the week’s lowest round so far, a 9 under 63, that featured 10 birdies and a bogey to climb 88 places to tied 25th

The Chandigarh player who made bogey after a lost ball on hole 12, got his round going with birdie on the long par-3 14^th.

He then drained birdies on the next two holes, missing a hole-in-one by a whisker on the 16th where the reward for an ace is a Nissan Magnite car.

After the turn, Bedi had a run of four straight birdies from the first to the fourth thanks to his excellent ball-striking and putting.

Reigning champion Harshjeet Singh Sethie of Delhi was tied 49th on 2 over 146 while no Coimbatore-based player made the cut.

Also read: Three-way tie for opening day lead at Coimbatore Open