Gurgaon Open day two leader Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal in action at the Classic Golf and Country Club near Gurgaon on Wednesday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Tied for third overnight, Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal fired a 5 under par 67 to emerge the round two leader of the Rs 1 crore Gurgaon Open at the Classic Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
Chandigarh’s Jatiwal on 11 under 133 had opened with a 66 and is now two strokes ahead of Bangalore’s M. Dharma who totals 9 under 135 after 36 holes, the PGTI said.
On a day the wind switched direction constantly, the Gurgaon-based Sunhit Bishnoi produced a 66 to move into third place on 8-under 136.
Arjun Prasad of Delhi also shot a joint day’s low of 66 for shared fourth on 7 under 137 alongside Tapy Ghai (68) of Gurgaon.
The cut fell at level par 144 with 56 professionals progressing to the final two days.
On Wednesday, Jatiwal produced some great approach shots to set up short birdie conversions on three of the first four holes.
Wind woes
With the swirling wind creating club selection dilemmas for most of the field including Jatiwal, bogeys followed on the sixth and eighth.
Winner of one professional title in his rookie season back in 1998, the 48-year-old rallied with another splendid approach shot from 215 yards on the par-5 ninth that led to a tap-in eagle.
He birdied hole 10 before dropping shots on the next two holes though a late flourish saw Jatiwal pick up three more shots on holes 14, 15 and 16.
Struggling this season with just one cut made from five previous appearances, Jatiwal said, “While I putted really well in round one, today it was all about my approach shots.
“The eagle on the ninth was the highlight for me today. Importantly, I made good comebacks twice after suffering bogeys.
“I’ll look to play my natural game from here on and repeat what I’ve been doing so far. Keeping my focus going will also be important.
“My game has been quite inconsistent so far this season as I’ve missed cuts by one or two shots. I’m now looking at this week as a good opportunity to turn things around.”
Dharma (66-69) moved up one spot from his overnight tied third with a 69 that featured four birdies and a bogey. The round included some exceptional bunker shots and chips that saw him lay the ball to within two feet of the pin on three occasions.
Bishnoi’s 66 helped him climb 21 places while Prasad gained 36 spots to tied fourth. Day 1 leader Mani Ram shot a 78 on Wednesday to follow his opening 63 for a 15-shot swing.
Round 2 leaders
133: Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal (66-67)
135: M. Dharma (66-69)
136: Sunhit Bishnoi (70-66)
137: Tapy Ghai (69-68); Arjun Prasad (71-66)
Also read: Mani Ram tees off with a scorching 63 at Gurgaon Open
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