Chibber in sole lead after round two of Tour Championship

Delhi’s Saarthak Chibber plays a delicate lob on his way into the Tata Steel Tour Championship day two lead in Jamshedpur on Friday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Saarthak Chhibber held a two-shot lead after round two of the season-ending Rs 3 crore Tata Steel Tour Championship in Jamshedpur on Friday.

The Delhi golfer shot a sizzling 7 under par 64 to total 13 under 129 after 36 holes of the no-cut championship being played at the Beldih and Golmuri Golf Courses in Jamshedpur, the PGTI said.

Noida’s Amardeep Malik (64) and Sri Lankan N. Thangaraja (66) were tied for second on 11 under 131.

Two-time Tata Steel Tour Championship winner Udayan Mane (65) of Pune was a further shot back in fourth place while Ranking leader Veer Ahlawat (68) was in a share of ninth place on 7 under 135.

Defending champion and two-time winner Gaganjeet Bhullar (67), Rahil Gangjee (67) and two-time Indian Open winner S.S.P. Chawrasia (71), were tied for 21^st on 4 under 138.

The first two rounds of the richest event on the PGTI saw one half of the field play their first nine holes at Golmuri and second nine at Beldih while the other half of the field played the reverse sequence.

The format will also be followed for the next two rounds of the tournament with par for the round being 71. The leading groups will start at Golmuri and finish at Beldih.

Clean card

Overnight joint leader Chhibber (65-64) produced an error-free round to surge ahead on Friday. The 26-year-old began on a high with a 25-foot birdie conversion on the first hole.

He then went on to score birdies on all the four par-5s (holes 2, 9, 12, and 16) for the second day in succession thanks to his steady ball-striking.

Chhibber’s round also featured a measured approach shot on hole 14 and a splendid 30-feet conversion on the 17^th that both led to birdies.

Currently 27^th on the money list and searching for his maiden title, Chibber said later, “These golf courses are not easy if you start missing fairways.

“However, I was fortunate to make three good par saves to keep the momentum rolling. I kept giving myself chances by making fairways and greens, otherwise these courses become very difficult to negotiate.

“I’m happy that I’ve dropped just one shot so far this week. The back nine at Beldih requires you to be on point much more. The up and downs are a lot tougher here in Beldih but you stand a good chance if you put yourself in good places.

Accuracy the kay

“Going ahead, for me it will be about trusting the process and looking to keep hitting fairways and greens. Hopefully, if I can make some putts, things should work out well,” added Chhibber, who has posted three top-10s this season including a joint runner-up finish.

Malik (67-64) moved up six places from his overnight tied eighth with a round that included an eagle, six birdies and a bogey.

A two-time winner on the PGTI, Malik sank two 20-footers, one for eagle and the other for birdie. He also landed his shots within four feet on holes 8 and 17 to pick up shots.

Thangaraja (65-66), the overnight joint leader, slipped one spot after a round that featured eight birdies and three bogeys. Thangaraja was in outstanding form with the driver and also made a chip-in birdie on the third hole on Friday.      

Jamshedpur-based professionals Karan Taunk (level-par 142), Digvijay Singh (6 over 148) and Kurush Heerjee (8 over 150) were tied 42^nd, tied 54^th and T57 respectively.

Also read: Three-way tie for top spot after Tour Championship first round