Sri Lankan N. Thangaraja, already a two-time winner this season, is the Bengaluru Open halfway leader at the KGA Course. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
In-form N. Thangaraja continued his golden run to take the 36-hole lead at the Rs 1 crore Bengaluru Open at the Karnatake Golf Association course on Wednesday.
The experienced Sri Lankan, with a win and runner-up finish in his last three starts, shot a 6 under par 65 at the IndianOil-powered event, the PGTI said.
Thangaraja (66-65), tied for third overnight one shot off the lead, totals 11 under 131 after two days for a one-shot advantage over the field.
Kolkata’s Viraj Madappa (65-67), one of the two overnight leaders, returned a 67 on Wednesday to hold second place on 10 under 132.
Former order of Merit winner Manu Gandas of Gurgaon shot a tournament low of 63, climbing 26 places to third on 9 under 133.
Nepal’s Subash Tamang, the other joint leader, dropped to tied fourth on 8 under 134 with a 69 on Wednesday and was joined by Greater Noida’s Saptak Talwar (68).
Defending champion Abhinav Lohan from the DLF Golf and Country Club, ended the day in tied 11th on 5 under 137.
The cut fell 1 over 143 with 50 professionals and Noida amateur Kanav Chauhan (140) going through to the final two days.
Slow start
Thangaraja, third on the PGTI Order of Merit with two wins this season, had a relatively slow start on the back nine with three birdies including a 30-footer and a tap-in, and two bogeys.
His round then took flight on the second nine where he sank six birdies against one bogey, producing two top-notch bunker shots for birdies.
“My tee shots, approaches and putting were great today. The bunker shots also stood out,” Thangaraja said.
“The greens at this course are similar to my home course in Colombo so I’m quite comfortable playing here.
“I feel putting will be the deciding factor in the final stages of this tournament. So, my main focus will be to sharpen my putting further.
“There is good momentum since my win in Chennai three weeks ago. I’ve been playing great golf since then and I want to make the most of that form now.”
Hot pace
Madappa, a PGTI winner earlier this year, had six birdies on his first 16 holes which included three conversions from a range of 10 to 15 feet, but ended his round with a double-bogey on 17.
“I’ve played well on both days so far. Unfortunately, I ended both rounds with bogeys,” Madappa said.
“I feel I’ve focused well and kept my patience for most part of both rounds but just need to keep that going till the very last hole.
“I hit really good iron shots and gave myself plenty of opportunities on the greens today. I hit 13 greens in regulation and need to keep doing the same thing over the next two days.”
Also read: Tamang, Madappa share lead after round one of Bengaluru Open
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