By Rahul Banerji
Birdies in his closing two holes gave overnight leader Rory Hie enough of an edge to stay one shot ahead of the field on day two of the $300,000 Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship on Friday.
The 31-year-old Indonesian was one step ahead of Chandigarh golfer Abhijit Singh Chadha who rode seven birdies, six of them in his closing nine holes to an 11-under 133 for sole second place.
Chadha, 28, had a 7-under card for the day, one of three to do so besides Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto and American Trevor Simsby, and they were only bettered by an 8-under 64 from Asian Tour newbie Nicholas Latimer of the USA.
Chadha was also one shot ahead of three others on 10-under 134s that included his fellow 2010 Asian Games silver medallist Rashid Khan, Asian Tour rookie Aman Raj and Hamamoto.
Patna golfer Raj went five-under par 67 for a second successive day.
Dominant show
Chadha, in fact, led a dominant Indian performance at this first-time event that has been co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour on India. Seven others were in the top 16 going into the money rounds after the cut fell at 1-under 143.
In all 75 made it through with 37 of whom were domestic stars.
Hie, who returned a 4-under 68 to go with his 64 on the first day, said about his late recovery, “My tee shots were really good today and that was the strongest part of my game.
“I actually didn’t get off to a good start as my iron shots were kind of dodgy but I was able to bounce back each time I made a bogey and the highlight of my round was really being able to recover each time I made a mistake.
“It was good to end the round with back-to-back birdies.
‘Smart play’
“I felt like I was able to play the course very smartly and didn’t allow myself to make too big a mistake today. I’m actually very excited that I’m going into the weekend round with the lead as it’s not very often that I can do that on the Asian Tour.
Chadha, who was fortunate when his drive on the par-5 18th hole, his ninth hit a tree and rebounded onto the fairway, added, “I am really happy to be in this position.
“On the 18th, I hit a wayward drive. It hit a tree and came back on the fairway. It was a lucky break and I capitalised on that. That birdie kind of gave me a boost and after that whatever shots I was playing, I was pulling them off. I made a lot of putts today on the front nine.”
Added Khan, “I started really well. I was 4-under after 7 holes. I had given myself a lot of chances after that, just couldn’t drop them so that was little disappointing.
“But overall I think I’m playing really good golf, over the past 2 days I have made 10 birdies and I’m 10-under. So I think I’m playing consistent golf.
‘Happy place‘
Latimer, on his first trip to India, also struck an upbeat note after his round. “Anytime you shoot a 64 you’re going to end up in a happy place, so I feel pretty good,” he said.
“I actually hit it really well yesterday and didn’t get anything out of my round, so to capitalise on some of those good shots today felt good. The rough is pretty thick so you have to keep it in the fairways.
“It’s my first trip to India and I’m enjoying it, I’ve got to know a couple guys like Samarth Dwivedi and Aman Raj pretty well just through Qualifying School, and we travel a little bit together.
“We all went out for a traditional Indian dinner two days ago, so I’ve been getting some good hospitality from those two guys so I’m enjoying my time here.”
Also read: Home stars hold an edge at inaugural Classic GCC International
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