Badal Hossain, Yuvraj Sandhu in battle for Panchkula top spot

By Rahul Banerji

One shot separated Bangladesh golfer Badal Hossain and Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu after the penultimate round of the Tata Steel PGTI Players Championship in Panchkula on Thursday.

With overnight leader Jamal Hossain slipping on the day, his good friend Badal took the lead, on 16-under par 200, one ahead of Yuvraj on 15-over 201 in the American Express presented event.

Jamal Hossain was tied for third place with Sri Lanka’s N. Thangaraja on 12-under 204 on a day he looked to have lost his composure somewhat, carding five birdies against four dropped shots.

Tied for fifth on 11-under 205 after 54 holes were Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha and PGTI Order Of Merit leader Ajeetesh Sandhu, Khalin Joshi of Bangalore, and Gurgaon’s Manu Gandas.

Badal Hossain’s 7-under 65, the day’s best score had eight birdies against one bogey.

After an opening bogey, Badal who was playing alongside Thangaraja and Jamal found his touch from the sixth hole onwards.

Good touch

The 31-year-old from Savar Golf Club picked up back-to-back birdies on six and seven and did not look back.

Badal, who is yet to win his first title on the PGTI, hit a purple patch after the turn making six consecutive birdies from holes 10 to 15.

Speaking about his round, Badal said, “It was a great day especially with my putter, as I sank three 10 to 15-foot birdie putts.

“I started with a bogey but I felt good about my hitting from the sixth hole onwards, that’s why I sank a number of birdies from there on.

“Playing alongside my friends Thangaraja and roommate Jamal, I felt much more relaxed out there on the course. It’s a new day tomorrow and I hope to maintain my rhythm.”

Yuvraj Sandhu carded a bogey 7-under 65 that included three long conversions, three quality up and downs from the bunker and two brilliant par saves.

Jamal’s round of 71 featured five birdies and four bogeys while Thangaraja’s round of 70 included four birdies and two bogeys.

Three-time PGTI Order of Merit winner Rashid Khan was tied 21^st on five-under 211, defending champion Chikkarangappa S. was T34 on three-under 213, and Udayan Mane T46 on level par 216.

Also read: Jamal Hossain maintains Players Championship lead at Panchkula