Three-way tie for head at halfway stage of Pune Open

By Rahul Banerji

Sanjeev Kumar of Lucknow produced the second day’s top card of 5-under-66 at the Pune Open golf championship to set up a three-way tie for the halfway lead along with Sri Lankan N. Thangaraja (68) and Bengaluru’s Jaibir Singh (70) at 8-under-134.

Kolkata’s Shankar Das (67) was a shot off the lead in fourth place at the Rs. 30 lakh event.

The cut fell at 3-over-145 at the Poona Club Golf Course as 53 professionals made it to the money rounds.

Kumar (68-66), tied seventh five shots off the lead at the start of the day, jumped into the lead with some excellent putting. The 27-year-old, a consistent performer on the PGTI but still searching for his maiden win, began with an early double bogey.

Good rally

Kumar, who has a couple of runner-up finishes to his name, rallied with five consecutive birdies to fight his way back. He drained two more birdies on the back nine to emerge as a prime contender.

Kumar said later, “I felt good about my game from the very outset today. When I hit a terrific tee shot on the first hole, I knew it was going to be one of those days where I could do something special. I came back really well despite the early double-bogey on the second.

“I was in top form with the putter as four of my seven birdies came as a result of conversions from a distance of 15 to 20 feet. I feel my putting average has been getting better since I decided to go back to my original stance and grip with the putter last month.

“I changed my putting stance and grip about eight years back. But with my putting not being at its best since the start of this season, I felt it was now the right time to get back to my old style.”

Accurate chipping

Thangaraja (66-68), tied fourth three off the lead after round one, found his way to the top of the leaderboard on Wednesday thanks to accurate chipping as three of his five birdies came as a result of brilliant approach shots that led to tap-ins. He mixed five birdies with two bogeys.

Thangaraja said, “My 3-wood shots, chipping and putting were just outstanding. Now that I’m in contention I’m looking to score about 17 to 18 under this week to give myself a real chance.”

Singh (64-70), second after day one, had a dramatic round that featured six birdies, three bogeys and a double. Jaibir was two-over through his first 13 holes but turned it around with a birdie chip-in on the sixth followed by two more birdies on the seventh and eighth.

Jaibir later said, “I started well and midway through the round missed a few putts and even made a double-bogey as I lost focus a bit and got nervous since I’ve never been in this situation and led a tournament before as a professional. But I finished well with those three birdies at the end. The flourish towards the end made me feel good.

“I didn’t know what to expect after shooting a seven-under yesterday. I just didn’t want to blow it up today and I’m glad that I didn’t.”

Das, who won at the Poona Club in 2011, got himself in a good position with a 67. He trailed the leaders by one.

Ahmedabad-based Samarth Dwivedi, the first round leader, slipped eight places to tied ninth at 3-under-139 after a round of 76.

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