Ace in hand, Viraj Madappa sits one off Maekyung Open lead

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Viraj Madappa
Viraj Madappa sits one back of the leaders after two days of the Maekyung Open in Korea on Friday. Image courtesy asiantour.com.

By Rahul Banerji

Viraj Madappa was one shot off the lead in tied fourth place on 6-under par 136 after the second round of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on Friday.

Madappa (71-65), who is in good form, was one shot behind leaders Bio Kim, Dongmin Lee and amateur Minhyuk Song, all from Korea at the Namseoul Country Club.

The 24-year-old from Kolkata improved on a level-par opening 71 to fire a 6-under 65 on Friday that included a hole in one on the par-3 third hole.

Madappa got the ace with a seven iron in his first appearance at the Maekyung Open.

“It was actually anticlimactic, because I thought the ball went long but it ended up going in the hole,” the Asian Games qualifier told asiantour.com.

“We were actually looking for the ball and ended up looking in the hole thankfully.”

Well placed

A further six birdies against two dropped shots ensured Madappa is well placed to strike for a second Asian Tour title after his Take Solutions Masters win in 2018.

“I was really excited to start the week here and I think it’s lived up to the expectation. I’m pretty sure it’s going to get a little tougher for the next few days.”

However, there was some unfortunate news for the field with the Olympic Council of Asia announcing on the day the Games had been indefinitely postponed.

“Following detailed discussions with the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee, the OCA Executive Board today decided to postpone the 19th Asian Games…” the Council said.

View original post on Twitter.

“The new dates of the 19th Asian Games will be agreed between the OCA, the COC and the HAGOC and announced in the near future,” it added.

In Seoul, Khalin Joshi was the next best Indian on the board on 3-under 139 (68-71) in tied 11th, while Veer Ahlawat was tied 27th on level par 142 (71-71).

While Joshi swapped three birdies for as many bogies in his level par 71 on Friday, Ahlawat had one birdie against a dropped shot against his name.

Honey Baisoya (72-71), Chikkarangappa S. (73-71), Gaganjeet Bhullar (70-74) and Karandeep Kochhar (70-75) were the others to make the cut at 3-over 145.

Shiv Kapur and Aman Raj, however, missed out.

Also read: Madappa, Rashid make Asiad cut; Avani completes women’s squad

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