Rankings leader Yuvraj Sandhu had to overcome a mid-round bump to retain his two-stroke lead after 36 holes of the IndianOil Servo Masters in Digboi, Assam, on Wednesday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Yuvraj Sandhu maintained his two-stroke lead with a second round card of 3 under par 69 at the IndianOil Servo Masters at the Digboi Golf Links in Assam on Wednesday.
Rankings leader Sandhu (65-69), a two-time winner in Digboi, is on 10 under 134 at the halfway stage of the Rs 1 crore event, the PGTI said.
Saptak Talwar (68-68) fired a second straight 68 to total 8 under 136 and jump into second place as the cut fell at 4 over 148 with 59 professionals going through.
Deven Bhumij of Digboi was the only local professional to make the final two rounds in tied 42nd place at 3 over 147.
Sandhu started the day well with two 10-foot conversions and a great drive to pick up three shots on the first five holes.
The Chandigarh-based 28-year-old, a four-time winner this year, then conceded bogeys on holes seven and eight after finding the trees and suffering a bad bounce respectively.
Sandhu regained control with birdies on 11 and 12 with some splendid ball-striking. He had more opportunities on four more holes thereafter where he missed the conversions.
Missed opportunities
“I made a better start than day one so was looking forward to a deeper round today but the putts didn’t fall on the back nine,” Sandhu said later.
“Importantly, I got some momentum back thanks to my ball-striking in the latter half of the day. I’m now hoping for a better show with the putter in the last two rounds.
“This course is very up and down so walking here takes a toll on the legs. After my round today, I just sat down to give my legs some much-needed rest.
“Full recovery of the body is very important in such situations. That’s what I require to be at my best in the last two rounds.”
Talwar, playing in Digboi for the first time, mixed five birdies and a bogey on the day to make a move up the leaderboard.
A winner on the PGTI earlier this year, Talwar sank a 15-footer and also had a tap-in for birdies on Wednesday.
Past Digboi champion Veer Ahlawat (71) ended round two in tied third place on 6 under 138 alongside Viraj Madappa (68), Yuvraj Singh (71) and Shivendra Singh Sisdoia (71).
Also read: Sandhu takes early lead at IndianOil Servo Masters in Digboi
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