Bishnoi is clubhouse leader at KDGT 2023 on fog-hit day two

By Rahul Banerji

Sunhit Bishnoi struck an error-free 2-under 70 at his home course to hold the second-round clubhouse lead on 5-under 139 on day two of the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational 2023 in Gurgaon on Thursday.

Round one resumed at 9 am on Thursday after a two-hour fog delay and the second teed off at 11:10 am. Out of 120 players, only 36 completed both rounds before play was suspended due to fading light, the PGTI said.

The second round of the Rs 2 crore event will now resume at 7 am on Friday and the tournament has been reduced to a 54-hole event with the third and final round will be played on Saturday.

Early starter Bishnoi (69-70) completed the remaining eight holes from his first round with five birdies and two bogeys getting to within four feet with his irons and wedges on four of his birdies.

The 22-year-old, a winner on the PGTI this year and 16^th in the Order of Merit, then followed up with a steady 70 in round two at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

The highlight of Bishnoi’s second round were three 15-foot conversions, for birdies on holes 10 and 17 and one to save par on 18.

Familiar surroundings

“As this is my home course, I’m quite familiar with it from tee to green.,” Bishnoi said later.

“That adds to my comfort level and confidence when I play a tournament here. I hit some great shots from a range of 100 to 150 yards and my putting was also top-notch.

“I played 26 holes today and that requires a lot of stamina and fitness. All the hard work I put into improving my fitness pays off on days such as these when I have to play more than 18 holes.”

Kevin Esteve Rigaill (72-70) of Andorra was second in the clubhouse on 2-under 142.

Earlier in the day, round one ended with Shaurya Binu joining Rashid Khan and Karan Pratap Singh in the joint lead at 4-under 68. Rashid and Karan were the clubhouse leaders when play was suspended on day one.

Rashid and Karan are yet to start their second round while Shaurya shot a 78 in round two to slip down the standings at 2-over 146.

Reigning champion Varun Parikh, who shot a 78 in round one, had not begun his second round either.

Also read: Rashid, Karan Pratap hold clubhouse lead on day 1 of KDGT 2023