Three-way tie for day 2 clubhouse lead at Servo Masters in Digboi

By Rahul Banerji

Ahmedabad-based Om Prakash Chouhan, Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya and Nepal’s Sukra Bahadur Rai shared the clubhouse lead after day two of the Rs 80 lakh IndianOil Servo Masters at Digboi on Thursday.

Tata Steel PGTI Ranking leader Chouhan was 9-under 135 along with Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational winner Baisoya and Rai, the PGTI said.

An hour’s fog delay on Thursday meant play started late and as a result, the second round could not be completed with 22 from a field of 122 yet to complete 36 holes

Round two will resume early on Friday and the third round will commence after it ends and the cut is finalised.

Kapil Kumar, Mohd Azhar and Sri Lanka’s Anura Rohana were tied for fourth at eight-under 136.

Sukra Bahadur (68-67) made bogey on the fifth hole before rallying with birdies on the next four, capitalising on two par-5s and leaving himself four-footers on the other two holes.

Sukra, also known as ‘Venus’ on his home tour, made further inroads with two more birdies on the back nine including a 12-foot conversion on 12.

Good rebound

Sukra said, “After an early setback on the fifth, I really gained confidence thanks to the birdies on the sixth and seventh that set up the day for me. My ball-striking was the best part of my game today as it set up most of my birdies.

“I enjoy playing here at Digboi as this golf course is quite similar to the ones I play in Nepal in terms of the slopes on the fairways and the type of greens. I feel quite at home playing here.”

Chouhan (67-68) came up with an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys while Baisoya (66-69), second on the money list, produced four birdies and a bogey.

The highlight of Chouhan’s round was a chip-in from the hazard for eagle on the 15^th hole.

Of the Digboi-based professionals, Dulal Kalowar (one-under 143) and Deven Bhumij (even-par 144) were the best placed.

Noida-based amateur Aarav D. Shah was the highest placed among the three amateurs on level par 144.

Also read: Dhole Patil leads the way on day one of IndianOil Servo Masters