By Rahul Banerji
Former Indian Open champion Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia showed few traces of rust on return to competitive golf with solid rounds at the Scottish Championship over Thursday and Friday.
The Kolkata-based golfer who also bad to battle through an attack of the Covid-19 virus, came out firing on the opening day at Fairmont St Andrews, carding six birdies against three dropped shots.
On day two, Chawrasia had three birdies on his outbound nine and balanced a further two against two bogeys for a second successive 3-under par round of 69.
It gave him a share of 18th place, up three from an overnight 21st spot.
Long break
Winner of the Hero Indian Open in successive years between 2015 and 2017, Chawrasia is playing his first European Tour event since the Qatar Masters back in early March.
The 42-year old is on 6-under 138 )60-69), six shots behind leaders Matt Wallace of England (65-67) and Adrian Otaguei of Spain (62-70) on 12-under 132.
Former European Tour Rookie of the Year Shubhankar Sharma came through with a two-day aggregate of 1-under for his fifth straight cut since returning to action in July.
Following cuts made at the Portugal Open (T44), Irish Open (T64), Scottish Open (T26) and last week’s BMW PGA Championship (T48), Sharma was on the bubble on 143 (71-72).
Gaganjeet Bhullar improved on his previous two starts since resuming play last month but still missed the cut on 2-over 146 with rounds of 75 and 71.
Hatton in the van
On the PGA Tour, last week’s BMW PGA Championship winner Tyrell Hatton continued his fine run of form with the first day lead at the CJ Cup @ Shadow Creek on Thursday.
Hatton shrugged off jet lag and change of landscape to shoot a 7-under 65 at the $9.75 million event, relocated for this year from Jeju Island in South Korea.
It was Hatton’s best ever round on the PGA Tour and came a day after his 29th birthday.
According to the PGA Tour, the Englishman had an outbound 30 that included an eagle two on the 12th which he holed from the fairway. It is also the first time Hatton has led an opening round on the PGA Tour.
Four-time PGA Tour winner Xander Schauffele and Russell Henley carded 66s to lie one back. World no. 2 Jon Rahm and Tyler Duncan were a further stroke adrift while defending champion Justin Thomas opened with a 72.
It was a mixed bag for two-time FedEx Cup winner Rory McIlroy and 2018 tournament winner Brooks Koepka as they settled for a 73 and 74 respectively.
‘Like a dream’
On Sunday, Hatton won his fifth European Tour title, and said after his opening round in Las Vegas, “Almost like I was in a dream.”
Hatton, winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Masters in March, added, “Five under through five I think we were, which holing out on the third hole, was a bonus from 87 yards.
“It was nice to have momentum early. I imagine it would have been a lot tougher round if being as tired as I was we didn’t quite have that momentum.
“To shoot that score today, I’m really happy. I just need to try and get back to the hotel this evening, have a good rest and hopefully sleep better than I did last night.”
Also read: Lahiri battles to stay at T7 at Sanderson Farms C’ship
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