Pune’s Udayan Mane built on his overnight lead to head into the final day of the Indorama Ventures Open with a two-shot advantage at the Kalhaar Blues and Greens in Ahmedabad on Friday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Udayan Mane opened a two-shot lead heading into the final day of the inaugural Rs 2 crore Indorama Ventures Open at the Kalhaar Blues and Greens in Ahmedabad on Friday looking to end a three-year title wait.
The Tokyo Olympian fired a solid 4 under par 68 to total 14-under 202 on Moving Day, ahead of good friend Khalin Joshi of Bangalore who had opened Friday one stroke in arrears, the PGTI said.
Winner of 12 titles and a former PGTI Order of Merit champion, Mane (69-65-68) was rock-solid on Friday as he extended his lead by one shot despite conceding an early double bogey.
The Pune-based 34-year-old also produced an eagle, five birdies and a bogey to close in on a victory that has now eluded him for three long years.
Joshi (70-65-69), another former PGTI no. 1 and winner of six titles who grew up playing junior and amateur golf alongside Mane, struck a 69 featuring four birdies and a bogey to keep his hopes alive of ending a two-year winless run.
Faridabad’s Abhinav Lohan (68) ended the day third on 9 under 207 while Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema (70) was a further shot back in fourth place.
Ahmedabad’s Varun Parikh carded a 69 to occupy site in a share of eighth place on 5 under 211 and keep hopes of a solid home finish alive.
Hot run
Swirling winds troubled Mane early on as he gave away two shots on the par-3 second hole. He however picked up five shots till hole 12 with some outstanding tee shots as well as a 30-foot conversion on the seventh.
A dropped shot on 13 proved to be a temporary hiccup as Mane rebounded with his best drive of the day followed by a chip-in for eagle on 14. He was five-under on the four par-5s on the day as was Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Sandhu.
Mane, playing at his former home course, said, “After the early double bogey, I reminded myself that I know this course well and I’m playing well, so I just need to play the shot and not the situation. That’s how I got going.
“The eagle on 14 was a major momentum-gainer for me. I produced a great drive there, probably my longest drive of the day. After an equally good second shot I played the perfect chip from six yards to find the hole.
“The wind was slightly less than round two but it was swirling a lot more and that wasn’t easy to deal with.
“It’s always fun playing along with Khalin in the same group. It reminds me of our junior days, since we competed a lot against each other growing up and there are many memories we have together.
“In the final round, it will be all about keeping it simple, making fairways and greens and playing smart shots keeping the situation in mind.”
Yuvraj Sandhu (72), Sachin Baisoya (70) and Ajeetesh Sandhu (72) were tied for fifth on 7 under 209.
Also read: Udayan Mane surges into Indorama Ventures Open halfway lead
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