Saqib Ahmed storms into three-shot lead at Jaipur Open

By Rahul Banerji

Bangalore golfer Syed Saqib Ahmed continued the trend of low scores as he hit a blistering 9-under-61 in round two of the Jaipur Open for a three-shot lead on 15-under-125 at the Rambagh Golf Club on Wednesday.

Saqib, a former PGTI winner, equalled Vikrant Chopra’s record for the lowest score after two rounds at a PGTI event. Noida-based Vikrant also achieved the feat at Rambagh during the inaugural Jaipur Open in 2017.

Round one leader Abhinav Lohan of the DLF Golf & Country Club, who shot a 61 on Tuesday, came up with a 67 on day two to drop into second place on 12-under-128.

The halfway cut fell at 2-under-138 on a day that saw a light drizzle accompanied with wind in the afternoon session. Fifty-three professionals made the money rounds.

Fast start

Syed Saqib Ahmed (64-61), tied seventh and three off the lead overnight, made rapid strides up the leaderboard thanks to some clean ball-striking on the back nine that saw him tap-in for four of his six birdies before the turn.

Saqib, a winner on the PGTI in 2018, then had a contrasting front nine where he rolled in three birdie putts from a range of 10 to 15 feet and almost had a chip-in for eagle on the eighth. Saqib’s 11 birdies and two bogeys on Wednesday raised his hopes of a second title.

Saqib said, “My back nine and front nine were in sharp contrast to each other even though I played equally well in both halves.

“While I began the day with some good hitting, I followed it up with consistent putting later on. The last four holes were a little tough as it started drizzling and got windy but I adapted to the conditions well on that stretch.

“Me and my coach found something in my swing prior to this event and we’ve tried to address that. The change seems to be working for me at the moment as the score suggests.

‘Back in the groove’

“I feel I’m slowly getting in my groove after the mid-season break. I’d like to shake off the rust this week as it’s been a slow season for me so far with just one top-10 finish in Pune.”

Lohan kept his hopes of a maiden title alive with a steady 67 that included five birdies and two bogeys. He was one-over through 12 holes before turnning it around with three long birdie conversions and closed the day with a birdie to stay in the hunt.

Abhinav said, “I’ve been pretty solid over the first two days. The only exception being that I missed a few short putts today.”

Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, the Feeder Tour Order of Merit leader, produced a sizzling 62 to share third place along with Faridabad’s Karan Pratap Singh (65) and Bangalore’s M. Dharma (67) on 11-under-129.

Yuvraj ended the day in style with birdies over the last four holes.

Defending champion Aman Raj of Patna was tied 19^th at 6-under-134 while PGTI Order of Merit leader Rashid Khan of Delhi was tied 40^th on 3-under-137.

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