Khalin Joshi (right) played solid golf to take the day two lead in the Andhra Open at East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Experienced Bangalore golfer Khalin Joshi held the lead after round two of the Rs 1 crore Andhra Open at East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Joshi shot a second consecutive 3 under par 68 to total 6 under 136, one shot up the road from overnight leader Dhruv Sheoran (67-70) who was on 5 under 137, the DP World PGTI said.
The 33-year-old Joshi, a former Asian Tour winner, was also being tracked by fellow Bangalorean Chikkarangappa S., a 14-time domestic winner, in third place at 4 under 138 (68-70).
The inaugural edition of the Andhra Open is being supported by the host venue EPGC and event partner Andhra Pradesh Golf Association.
On a day when the windy conditions proved challenging, Joshi (68-68) was steady from tee to green in edging ahead, making four birdies against a bogey on the final hole.
Solid run
“I had a pretty solid day. From tee to green I hit it well. It was windy, but overall, I’m happy with my ball-striking and am now looking forward to the weekend,” Joshi said.
“The big challenge was dealing with the switching wind. I feel I negotiated the conditions well.”
Sheoran (67-70) looked set to extend his lead after opening with an eagle and building a three-shot cushion through 12 holes.
However, back-to-back bogeys on holes 16 and 17 saw him slip back into second place.
Viraj Madappa, Sri Lanka’s N. Thangaraja, the Chandigarh trio of Brashwarpal Singh, Akshay Sharma and Manjot Singh, and Dubai-based Yash Majmudar shared fourth place on 2 under 140.
The cut fell at 6 over 148, with 52 of 130 players advancing to the last two rounds including teenager Kartik Singh and Om Prakash Chouhan, two of only three home challengers to make the cut at last month’s Hero Indian Open in Gurgaon.
Also read: Dhruv Sheoran shows out early at Andhra Open Golf C’ship
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