Eagle-eagle Parikh vaults into second round Q School lead

By Rahul Banerji

Local boy Varun Parikh sank two eagles in a second-round 3-under par 69 to climb into a two-shot lead at 8-under 136 on day 2 of Final Qualifying of the PGTI Q School in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Parikh (67-69) swapped places with overnight leader Sunhit Bishnoi (66-72) at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club, the PGTI said.

Gurgaon-based Bishnoi closed the day on 6-under 138 after his 72 on the opening day.

The cut fell at 11-over 155 and from a field of 121, the top 82 including 15 amateurs made the final two days.

Parikh, 23, and one shot off the lead made a steady start with pars on the first four holes before landing his four-iron approach to within six feet of the hole for an eagle on the par-5 fifth.

Varun, a professional since 2019, capitalised on the next par-5, the eighth as well, making a 12-foot birdie conversion there.

On the back-nine, Parikh dropped three shots but also chipped in on 14 for his second eagle and sank a 10-footer for birdie on 17 to stay in front of the rest at the halfway stage.

Varun said, “I hit my tee shots and approach shots well over the last two days.

Familiar conditions

“Here at Kalhaar, the approach shots need to be well-placed keeping in mind the undulating greens and I managed to do that.

“Playing in familiar conditions has helped as Kalhaar is almost like a home course for me since I practice and play here regularly while not on tour.

“I know this course well and that is a big advantage. I’m approaching this week like any other event and taking it one round at a time.”

Manish Thakran (69-71) was placed third at four-under 140.

Former Indian Open winner Vijay Kumar struck a hole-in-one on the second during his round of 74 for tied eighth place on level par 144.

At the end of round four, the top 40 players will earn their full cards for the 2022 PGTI season.

On Tuesday, the 20–one-year-old Bishnoi, India’s top-ranked junior in the past, produced a flurry of birdies on either side of the turn against a lone bogey.

Strong short game

The newly-turned pro from the DLF Golf & Country Club, a winner on the amateur circuit last year and a six-time winner on the junior tour, turned in some outstanding work with the short clubs.

Making his first attempt at Q School, Bishnoi said, “Distance off the tee is one of my strengths and I capitalised on that today.

“I made all the par-5s count and also played some excellent wedge shots into the green. My putting was quite consistent.

“The fact that I won at my last outing here in Kalhaar as a junior helped my confidence coming into Q School.

“Finishing inside the top-5 at my Pre Qualifying event further added to my confidence ahead of the Final Stage. My coach Karan Bindra has always believed in my abilities and I would like to thank him for that.”

Also read: Girraj Singh Khadka tops Pre Quali III, 27 enter Final Stage