By Rahul Banerji
Chandigarh golfer Amrit Lal fired a seven-under 63 for the second-round lead on 12-under 128 at the Jaipur Open on Thursday.
The leaderboard at Rambagh Golf Club was dominated by Chandigarh-based players as Lal’s city mates Akshay Sharma (65) and Abhijit Singh Chadha (69) were second and third at the Rs. 40 lakh event.
While Sharma was on 10-under 130, overnight leader Chadha had aggregated nine-under 131 in his opening two rounds, the PGTI said.
Best-placed from the Jaipur contingent was professional Girraj Singh Khadka (67) in tied 18th on four-under 136.
Jaipur’s Manoviraj Shekhawat was the only amateur to make the cut as he ended round two in tied 37th at one-under 139.
The 36-hole cut came at level-par 140 with 51 making the grade though winner last week in Jammu, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu missed out with a one-over 141.
The 22-year-old Amrit Lal (65-63) shot the day’s best score to move up two places to first.
Amrit, three shots off the lead in third after day one, began his second round with a bogey but came back with three birdies courtesy a couple of long putts and a chip-in eagle inhis first eight holes.
Currently 63rd on the PGTI Order of Merit, Lal was to drop a shot on before the turn but continued the good work on the front nine.
Strong finish
On the home stretch, he made five birdies including three from eight to 10 feet against a second bogey.
Amrit said, “I had a few good starts at PGTI events earlier in the year but didn’t finish well at those events.
“However, I gained some confidence from my performance in Jammu last week where I had a season-best 12th place finish.
“I didn’t look at the leaderboard today even when I was on a roll. Just focused on my game and wanted to keep going. and hit some great approach shots.
“I got some good advice from Gaganjeet Bhullar on my game while he was in Chandigarh in August.
“He helped me a lot with my hitting and wedge-play. His inputs have made a positive impact on my game.”
Sharma (65-65) moved up one spot to second despite a poor start to the day as he bogeyed the third and fourth after missing up and downs from the bunker on both holes.
Akshay, a two-time winner on the PGTI, then rallied with five birdies between the eighth and the 17th landing it within three feet on most occasions.
He signed off with an eagle conversion from 15 feet on the 18th to head into the third round as a major contender.
Chadha, the first round leader, slipped two places to third following his round of 69 that featured just one birdie.
Also read: Abhijit Chadha turns in a 62 for round one Jaipur Open lead
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