By Rahul Banerji
Spain’s Manuel Elvira followed up his sensational opening 63 with a 70 on day two to continue in the lead on 11-under 133 in the $300,000 Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge on Friday.
Indian hopes were kept alive by Aman Raj (67-68), tied for third and rookie Aryan Roopa Anand (68-68) in shared seventh at the Karnataka Golf Association in Bangalore, the PGTI said.
Elvira held on to his overnight one-shot lead with Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg (68-66), a two-time winner in India, second on 10-under 134 at the event co-sanctioned by the Challenge Tour and PGTI.
Aman Raj stayed in share of third place on nine-under 135 with a battling 68 on Friday alongside Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli, Oliver Farr of Wales and England’s Ashley Chesters.
Aryan Roopa Anand, playing on his home course, also shot a 68 to climb five places on eight-under 136.
The cut came at three-under 141 with 55 professionals and two amateurs going through. Fourteen Indians out of a total of 52 made it to the money rounds.
Staying calm
Elvira, 26, remained patient throughout the afternoon but was disappointed not to extend his lead further after missing several birdie opportunities.
He sank four birdies and dropped two shots on the day.
Elvira said, “It’s hard to follow up such a low round and I was trying my best to keep it up. I stayed patient, gave myself as many birdie chances as I could and overall I’m happy with my round.”
Aman Raj began well with birdies from two long conversions on the second and fourth holes. The 27-year-old from Patna then found trouble with bogeys on six and seven as his putter went cold.
He made a three-putt on six and missed a six-foot par putt on the latter.
Aman took a good par with an up and down on eight before reviving his round with four birdies between holes nine and 13 where he came up with a couple of excellent wedge shots.
Aman said, “The key for me was just trying to be in the present today.
“I started well but the bogeys on the sixth and seventh holes seemed to come out of nowhere and then I was in a spot of bother on the eighth hole too before I made par there.
“At that stage I was wondering where my round was headed. It was then that I told myself to focus more on my game rather than the score.
Regaining momentum
“I got the momentum going with the three birdies on nine, 10 and 11. It was an up-and-down round but I’m glad I managed to salvage it after being in trouble at one stage.”
Aryan Roopa Anand’s round featured seven birdies, a bogey and a double as he produced some great bunker shots and was consistent with his putting.
Aryan said, “My first two rounds have been equally good. I made more regulations in round one but today I putted better.
“I would say it was a harder four-under today. I’m quite happy with where I’m placed and I know being consistent on the last two days will keep me in contention.”
Mari Muthu (69) and Om Prakash Chouhan (67) were tied 13th at seven-under 137 while Karan Pratap Singh (68) and M. Dharma (71) were a further shot back in tied 18th place.
Former KGA player Udayan Mane (69) was tied 30th on five-under 139 and Khalin Joshi (70) was T57 on three-under 141.
C. Muniyappa produced a hole-in-one on hole 15 during his round of 67 but missed the cut on one-under 143.
Also read: Spain’s Elvira posts record 63 to lead Black Bull Challenge
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