Chandra hits day’s best to move into a three-way tie for lead

By Rahul Banerji

Yashas Chandra M.S. shot the week’s best round to share the halfway lead with Veer Ahlawat and Angad Cheema at the Rs 1 crore Nissan Delhi-NCR Open in Noida on Thursday.

The Mysore golfer gained 22 places with his 8 under par 64 to join Gurgaon’s Ahlawat who was shared second at the Indian Open recently, and Chandigarh’s Cheema, both returning 67s.

Chandra (71-64), Ahlawat (68-67) and Cheema (68-67) were on 9 under par 135 after 36 holes on a breezy day at the Noida Golf Course, the PGTI said.

Manu Gandas (69) was fourth on 7-under 137 and overnight leader Rashid Khan (72) a further shot back in fifth place. Ajeetesh Sandhu (75-65) was the day’s other big mover, gaining 62 spots to move into the top 10 on 4 under 140 with five others.

Defending champion Gaurav Pratap Singh of the NGC was tied 14^th on 3-under 141 and the highest-placed among the Noida-based golfers heading into the cut (2 over 146) that saw 50 professionals move into the money rounds.

Yashas Chandra put together an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys on the day. He made good use of the NGC’s four mid-sized par-5s with the eagle and three birdies.

Chandra sank a 25-footer for the eagle on hole eight and then made a couple of birdies from between 12 and 15 feet.

Error-free

“I putted really well and didn’t make too many mistakes on the back nine like I did in round one,” the 29-year-old said later.

“I also hit most fairways so that was key to my good scoring on the par-5s. I finished really strong with birdie-eagle-birdie on the last three holes. That does a lot for my confidence going ahead.”

Tata Steel PGTI Ranking leader and 2024 Indian Open runner-up Ahlawat continued his good form with eight birdies and three bogeys to gain one spot.

 “I’ve been hitting it well since the Indian Open and the game feels solid. My good driving means I give myself short wedges to the green and that helps create more birdie chances,” Ahlawat said

Chandigarh Open runner up Cheema made six birdies against one dropped shot on Thursday to also move up one spot and take a share of the lead.

Angad said, “I played better in round one, but my back nine was really good today. The birdie on 12 was crucial because it got things started.

“A chip-in birdie on 13 helped me gain further momentum. I shot good numbers last week too and want to continue doing the same thing this week.” 

Round 2 leaders

135: Angad Cheema (68-67); Veer Ahlawat (68-67); Yashas Chandra M S (71-64)

137: Manu Gandas (68-69)

138: Rashid Khan (66-72)

Also read: Rashid Khan sets the early pace at Nissan Delhi-NCR Open