Three Indians make AAC cut as China’s Jin stays in the lead

From a Correspondent

Chonburi, Thailand: Three of the seven-strong Indian contingent made the cut at the 13^th Asian Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) on Friday even as China’s Bo Jin continued to hold the lead.

Krishnav Nikhil Chopraa, Shaurya Bhattacharya and Aryan Roopa Anand made it to the weekend rounds at the region’s biggest amateur event, from where the winner gets a berth into the 2023 Masters and the 2023 Open.

Shaurya shot a four-under-par 68, while Aryan carded three-under 69 despite a double bogey at the finish and Krishnav just could not get the putts to fall in his one-over 73.

Chopraa (70-73) though continued to be the top Indian at T42 on one-under 143 while Shaurya (76-68) and Aryan (75-69) were at level par and T47.

The cut went at one-over 145 with the top 50 and ties going through. The four Indians missing out were Milind Soni (74-72), Rayhan Thomas (74-73), Shat Mishra (73-75) and Arjun Gupta (74-78).

China’s Bo Jin (65-69), whose brother Cheng won in 2015, stayed on course to add to the family silverware.

He led by one at the midway stage and had 15-year-old Thai star, Ratchanon Chantananuwat (67-68) hard on his heels.

Costly lapse

Aryan, hoping to get into the Nomura Cup team following Thomas’ pullout owing to college commitments in the US, said, “I played great for 17 holes, but a lapse led to a double on the last hole.

“Still, I was happy to pull back with a 69. I hope I can make more ground over the weekend.”

Shaurya, whose coach, Rahul Bajaj, a team silver medallist from the 2010 Asian Games, is his caddie, said, “I am proud of the fightback after the first day 76.

“Especially, the three birdies from 15 to 17 and the way I hung in for the first 13 holes with two birdies and no bogeys. It was great to have my coach, Rahul Sir, on the bag. It helped.”

Krishnav made a good start with two birdies after which the putts stopped falling. He did pick up one more shot but also had four bogeys for a 73.

Bo Jin closed with a bogey while Chantananuwat, also called ‘TK’, birdied the sixth and eagled the eighth from over 66 feet for a stunning finish.

No repeat

A year ago, Bo had a similar 36-hole lead but finished tied third. “I am in a great position and am obviously reminded of Dubai.

“Have played some great golf so far, and hope to do the same over the weekend and finish the job.”

TK said he felt some tightness in his body right from the morning. Yet, he held out well and closed superbly.

“I was worried because I could not get full rotation of the body” TK said later,

“The way I hit the ball at the range and started my round I was preparing myself for an 80. And because of that, I am so happy with my 68.

“I am just one behind right now, and hopefully, will be in a better condition to battle it out over the weekend.”

Korea’s Wooyung Cho (68-67) was tied second at nine-under with TK at the Amata course. Four players shared fourth place on eight-under and another four on seven-under in tied eighth.

Two countries, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal, had their golfers make the cut for the first time at the AAC.

Jantai Malatev (73-69) from Kyrgyzstan which has just one nine-hole course, was tied 33^rd while Subhash Tamang (74-70) continued with his fairytale run in Chonburi.

Also read: Debutant Chopraa off to good start at AAC, China’s Bo Jin leads