Raj opens up three-shot at Gujarat Open with Patel in second

By Rahul Banerji

Past domestic pro tour winner Aman Raj held a three-shot lead over the field on day two of the Rs 1 crore Gujarat Open at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Patna golfer Raj returned a solid four-under 68 for a 36-hole total of 10-under 134 with local lad Anshul Patek the next best on the leaderboard, the PGTI said.

Patel, who calls Kalhaar his home course shot a one-under 71 to total seven-under 137.

Greater Noida’s Arjun Sharma (69) was a further shot back in third place.

Seven players were tied for fourth on four-under 140 including rookies Aryan Roopa Anand (2023 PGTI Q School Winner) and Saptak Talwar.

The cut was declared at four-over 148, with 58 professionals and one amateur making it to the final two days.

Aman Raj (66-68), the overnight joint leader, began with birdies on his first two holes including a tap-in to start.

Lone blemish

One bogey before the turn was the only blemish on his card for the day and Raj would make further gains on his way home with three more birdies including a chip-in on the first hole.

Raj said later, “I was off to a good start today on a comparatively windier day and gave myself a lot of chances.

“After the bogey, I stayed patient and was able to come back well on the back nine. The chip-in was special and I also hit it quite close on a few occasions.

“I’ve been consistent with my hitting so far and I feel that I just have to trust myself a little more and keep doing what I’m doing,” added Aman, who won his only title back in 2018.

Local professional Patel (66-71), who held the overnight lead with Raj, mixed four birdies with three bogeys to slip one place on the leaderboard but still keep himself in the hunt.

Khalin Joshi was tied 11^th on two-under 142, Varun Parikh was the second local player to make the cut in tied 33^rd on two-over 146 and Udayan Mane was tied 42^nd on three-over 147.

Noida-based 15-year-old Aarav D. Shah was the only amateur to make the cut. The Australian national was in tied 42^nd place on three-over 147.

Also read: Anshul Patel, Aman Raj share early lead at Gujarat Open