Arjun Prasad stretches Players’ 36-hole lead to three shots

By Rahul Banerji

With the leaderboard bunching up behind him, Arjun Prasad stretched his lead to three shots at the Rs 1 crore Tata Steel PGTI Players Championship at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata on Wednesday.

The Delhi golfer fired a 5 under par 65 in round two to total 13-under 127 after 36 holes even as his pursuers closed in on each other, the PGTI said.

Rahil Gangjee (65), rookie Stepan Danek (66) of the Czech Republic and defending champion Sachin Baisoya (67), were tied for second place on 10-under 130.

The cut was declared at 2-under 138 with 56 professionals making the final two rounds.

Arjun Prasad (62-65) grinded it out on the back nine with a birdie and a bogey each in difficult conditions early in the morning.

Prasad, who turned 25 on Monday, then reeled off five birdies on the second nine to consolidate his position at the top of the leaderboard.

Chip-in gain

On the front nine, Arjun’s birdies featured two 10-foot conversions and his second chip-in of the tournament which came on the fourth hole.    

Arjun said, “Teeing off in the first group of the morning session, the conditions today were quite different from round one. It was playing very heavy and the ball not travelling as much for me as it did on Tuesday.

“On the back nine from where I started, I kept myself in play and hung in there. I then got my game going on the front nine.

“I’ve had a good feel around the greens so far and have been able to get my wedges close. I’m quite confident with my wedges at the moment and that reflects in my score.”

Defending champion Baisoya’s 67 included four birdies and a bogey.

Former Kolkata golfer Gangjee went error-free as he sank an eagle and three birdies in his second straight round of 65.

Round 2 leaders

127: Arjun Prasad (62-65)

130: Sachin Baisoya (63-67); Rahil Gangjee (65-65); Stepan Danek (64-66)

Also read: Arjun Prasad goes 8-under for early honours at season-opener