By Rahul Banerji
Home-grown star Amardeep Malik returned a 5-under 67 for a two-shot lead on 12-under 132 at the halfway stage of the Prometheus School Delhi-NCR Open at the Noida Golf Course on Wednesday.
And in case you were wondering at the silence, I was away bashing balls at the FRIMA course in Dehradun, but more of that another time.
Bangalore’s Mari Muthu R. shot the day’s lowest of 8-under 64 to share second place on 10-under 134 along with Manu Gandas (69) of Gurgaon.
The cut in the Rs 40 lakh event, the final one ahead of the summer break, was at 1-over 145 with 51 professionals going through, the PGTI said.
Noida-based Malik (65-67) began with a birdie and then added three more for a strong front nine. Malik landed his approach within two feet on the ninth.
The 36-year-old, overnight joint leader, had a turbulent start to the back nine with two quick bogeys where he missed up and downs.
Bouncing back
However, Malik came roaring back with an eagle on the par-4 15th where he holed his second shot from the rough from a distance of 95 yards.
He picked up another shot on 16 with a 25-foot conversion to close the day with a two-shot lead.
Malik, who has won both his previous titles at Noida Golf Course, said, “It was good to carry the momentum from round one.
“I’m feeling good about my game. I hit some good shots to begin with which landed close. I lost momentum on 11 and 13 and was not expecting much after that but got lucky with the hole out on 16.
“The course is playing tough due to the wind therefore it’s not easy to score low. So I’m glad that I’m in this position.”
Mari Muthu (70-64), T15 and five off the lead after round one, jumped 13 places to joint second courtesy a 64 that featured 10 birdies and two bogeys.
Mari Muthu, who excelled with his iron play on day two, landed it within six feet of the flag throughout the round.
Colourful card
Gandas (65-69), a two-time PGTI winner, dropped out of the overnight joint lead with an eventful round that featured an eagle, four birdies, a bogey and a double.
Gandas landed his second shot within a couple of feet of the pin for eagle on the par-5 17th.
He also chipped-in for birdie on the fourth. Manu was five-under on the four par-5s for the second day in succession.
Gandas said, “I didn’t give myself as many chances today but I’m still quite happy with my effort as it keeps me in contention.
“My judgment of the speed and line on the greens has not been good. I need to work on that. I also feel that the opening stretch of the back-nine is crucial. One needs to score well over there.”
Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha (69) was fourth on 9-under 135 and Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (70) a further shot back in fifth position.
Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (72) of Chandigarh, currently ranked second on the PGTI Order of Merit, was T43 and made the cut on the line (145).
Defending champion Udayan Mane did not make the grade.
Also read: Malik in three-way tie for Tour Championship honours
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