By Rahul Banerji
Amidst the galaxy of stars assembled in Jamshedpur, Mohd Azhar may not be the best-known name at the season-ending Tata Steel PGTI Tour Championship.
The golfer from Vikarabad, Telangana, however, seized the limelight with a resolute five-under 67 to hold the halfway lead at the Rs. 3 crore event at the Beldih and Golmuri golf courses in Jamshedpur.
From Vooty Golf Country, the 23-year-old who is in only his second season as a professional, was on 12-under 132 for two days.
On the day, Azhar gained two places from overnight third and sits on a one-shot advantage over the field, the PGTI said.
Four-time Asian Tour winner Shiv Kapur returned a 69 for shared second place alongside overnight leader Kapil Kumar (70) at 11-under 133.
Azhar (65-67), currently 53rd on the money list, kept it close to the pins in his eventful front nine that featured an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys.
The young man, who turned professional in 2020, landed it within five feet on five occasions on the front nine.
He then had a relatively quieter back nine with two birdies against a late double-bogey.
Azhar said, “I hit some great tee shots today, even better second shots and the putting was consistent.
“I’m quite confident playing at this course because I played well here last year too. I focused on my game and took it one shot at a time.
“I’m glad that stayed in the top 60 in the first two years of my pro career.
Focus on putting
“The focus for me will be on my putting over the next two days in order to score well.”
Shiv Kapur (64-69), overnight second, stayed in touch with the lead with a round that featured six birdies against three bogeys.
Delhi’s Kapil Kumar (63-70) had four birdies and a double-bogey on Thursday.
Tata Steel PGTI Rankings leader Manu Gandas returned a 68 to be tied fourth on 10-under 134 along with Karandeep Kochhar (67) and Kartik Sharma (67).
Gandas continues to be favourite for the Order of Merit crown as he is well ahead of nearest rivals Ajeetesh Sandhu (T15 on six-under 138) and Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (T32, 142).
Q-School topper Varun Parikh was in a share of seventh with Angad Cheema on nine-under 135.
Viraj Madappa fired a hole-in-one on the first hole during his round of 69 to be tied 36th at one-under 143.
Jyoti Randhawa and defending champion Udayan Mane were tied ninth at eight-under 136, and S.S.P. Chawrasia shared 15th place on six-under 138.
Gaganjeet Bhullar shot the day’s best of 65 to be tied 30th at three-under 141 and Jeev Milkha Singh was 70th at seven-over 151.
The two Jamshedpur-based professionals, Karan Taunk (one-over 145) and Kurush Heerjee (three-over 147) were tied 48th and T57 respectively.
Also read: Kapil Kumar, Shiv Kapur set early pace at Tour Championship
Discover more from Tee Time Tales
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.