Rory Hie stays in the lead at Gurgaon Challenge PGTI-ADT event

By Rahul Banerji

Indonesia’s Rory Hie held on to his lead with a steady second round of 3-under 69 at the Gurgaon Challenge Tata Steel PGTI–ADT event at the Classic course on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old 63-69), first round leader by two shots, now holds a one-stroke edge at 12-under 132.

American Dodge Kemmer (67-66) climbed to tied second on 11-under 133 alongside Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolaphaisan (66-67) on day two of the $75,000 PGTI and Asian Development Tour event.

Manu Gandas and Abhijit Singh Chadha carded 66s to be the best-placed Indians in tied fourth on 10-under 134 along with Benjamin Follett-Smith of Zimbabwe and Ira Alido of the Philippines.

India’s Pawan Kumar fired the day’s best score, a sizzling 9-under 63, to move up 55 places to tied eighth on 9-under 135, the PGTI said.

The cut fell at 3-under 141 with 61 professionals making the grade including 40 Indians.

Strong comeback

Hie dropped shots on his first two holes but good chipping and bunker shots got him back in the game as he collected six birdies thereafter at the cost of just one more bogey.

Rory said, “I’m glad that I was able to turn it around and salvage my round after a bad start.

“I was happy to end my round with two birdies on the last three holes. My best was on the seventh where I hit a terrific drive and made a long putt.

“The conditions were easier today as the wind wasn’t that strong. But I didn’t create as many birdie chances since I didn’t hit my iron shots as close as I had done in round one.

“When I got to the course I realised that I hadn’t put my 2-iron in my bag. I forgot it at the hotel and instead carried my 3-iron.

“So tomorrow I’ll make sure that I carry my 2-iron as it would be more useful for me at this course.”

Kemmer, overnight tied eighth and four shots off the lead, too had a slow start with a bogey on the first hole.

The Asian Tour regular, then began reading his putts well as he birdied seven and nine before getting on a run with four consecutive birdies.

Hot putter

He added two more birdies and a bogey on the last three holes.

Dodge said, “My putting came on from 11. I sank a long putt there and thereafter hit my wedges close and drained a few more long birdie putts.

“One needs to be on the right side of the greens here in order to create scoring opportunities.”

Chanat chipped in for eagle on 18 in a 67 that kept him in contention.

Chadha made five straight birdies during his round of 66. Manu Gandas, who also fired a 66 to share fourth place with Chadha and two others, made a long eagle putt from just off the green on the third.

Pawan Kumar attributed his effort of 63 to his improved hitting and chipping.

Pawan had two tap-in birdies on Wednesday and landed it within five feet on four other occasions. The 37-year-old, who made 17 greens in regulation on day two, closed his round with a chip-in for eagle.

Karandeep Kochhar, also sharing eighth place, had an incredible run of six consecutive birdies during his round of 64.

Rashid Khan was in tied 24^th place on 6-under 138 following his 71 on Wednesday.

Also read: Indonesia’s Hie returns to happy hunting ground with stunning opener