Halfway lead at Tamil Nadu Open for Delhi’s Arjun Prasad

Delhi’s Arjun Prasad drives on his way into the second day’s lead of the Tamil Nadu Open at Coimbatore Golf Club on Wednesday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Arjun Prasad produced a steady 2 under par 70 to climb into the halfway lead of the Rs 1 crore Tamil Nadu Open at Coimbatore Golf Club on Wednesday.

Delhi golfer Prasad (70-70), who was third overnight one shot off the pace took over at the top by a stroke on a 4 under total of 140, the PGTI said.

Overnight joint topper Jamal Hossain (69-72) of Dhaka slipped to second place in the event presented by Sipcot and Tancem on 3 under 141 with a level par 72 on day two.

With stiff winds continuing to blow across the CGC, it was another tough day for scoring. 

Pune’s Pranav Mardikar had the day’s low score of 69 to move up 11 places into tied third place at 2 under 142 alongside Ahmedabad’s Anshul Patel (71).

Delhi’s Anshul Kabthiyal matched the day’s best to hold fifth place on 1 under 143.

Gaurav Pratap Singh, the other overnight joint leader returned a 79 on Wednesday and dropped to tied 20^th place on 4 over 148.

Chennai’s S. Prasanth (77-71) was the only Tamil Nadu-based professional to make the cut on 8 over 152 as he was alongside Singh at T20. In all, 52 professionals made the grace.

Openinng jolt

Arjun Prasad, second in the PGTI Order of Merit and chasing a maiden title, began with a bogey on the first hole. 

He then chalked up two birdies and a second bogey on the front nine to make the turn at level par.

Prasad had a much better back nine with two birdies from 15-foot conversions.

“I kept the ball in play for most part of the day,” Prasad said. “Initially, I missed a few greens but then I kept creating chances for myself. I also made a few good par-saves.

“The pin positions weren’t easy today so being on the right side of the hole was important. 

“In these conditions it is important to understand how to play with or against the wind. I feel I did that well today.”

Hossain, winner in Hyderabad last week, had three birdies and three bogeys on his card.

Also read: Two-way tie for lead on day one of TN Open at Coimbatore