Saptak Talwar of the Mumbai Aces, playing at his home Jaypee Greens course, edged Kolkata’s formidable Rashid Khan 1-up in the tightest match of day two at the DP World PGTI’s 72 The League on Wednesday.
By Rahul Banerji
UP Prometheans climbed into a share of the lead alongside day one toppers Rajasthan Regals after two rounds of the DP World PGTI’s 72 The League in Greater Noida on Wednesday.
While the Regals were pegged back to just four points by Charminar Challenge, the Prometheans claimed nine points in round two off event favourites Naya Raipur to jointly head the league table.
UP were in fact denied the sole lead by a magic second shot from inside the trees by Raipur’s Jhared Hack on the last hole.
The American jugged his hooked 8 iron second shot from 180 yards out for an eagle to yield an improbable win that had seemed impossible at one stage in the fourballs.
In the day’s third fixture, Mumbai Aces took nine points from their three wins against the Kolkata Classics, who picked up six points from their two victories in the best-of-five matchups.
Hyderabad’s Charminar Challengers climbed into third place with 15 points with Naya Raipur (14) hard on their heels while the Aces (11) and the Classics (7) bring up the rear.
Major draw
But as on Tuesday, it was the singles that drew the greatest interest.
Aces stalwart Saptak Talwar, playing on his home course, produced clutch golf down the closing stretch to beat the formidable Rashid Khan of the Kolkata Classics 1 up in the day’s tightest match.
In other close resultss, Hyderabad’s Om Prakash Chouhan and Anshul Kabthiyal closed out 2&1 wins over Jairaj Sandhu and Michele Ortolani of the Regals to power their team into third place.
Talwar gets a warm and fuzzy feeling on the course where he won his first title as a professional golfer last year at the Adani Invitational Golf Championship.
And the 27-year-old showed once again why home advantage counts.
On the 16th hole, he was stymied against a tree, but somehow managed to advance his ball to the green for a par.
At the 17th, Khan’s shot hit the flag and trickled to less than a foot from the cup.
Long range strike
After giving him that putt, Talwar then rolled in his ball from nearly 90 feet for an incredible birdie and the all-important lead.
“It was a long, stressful day. I grew up at Delhi Golf Club, and I’ve admired Rashid Khan ever since I picked up a club,” Talwar said later.
“So, to take him down out here in the fashion that it turned out, was breathtaking to be honest.
“And yes, this golf course is special for me. Got my first win here and I have spent a lot of time in my early years here. So, this course holds a special place in my heart.”
After a fantastic win on Monday and combining well in the much tougher foursomes format (alternate ball), the Regals’ Chikkarangappa S. and Dhruv Sheoran were the only pair to be retained for the second round.
Rewarding pick
The duo repaid the faith of captain Ajeetesh Sandhu, beating Anshul Patel and Vishesh Sharma 4&2 in a match they were in control throughout.
In-form Shubham Jaglan and American Dominic Piccirillo secured three points for Charminar Champions beating K. Prabagaran and Yuvraj Singh 2&1 in the foursomes.
Jaglan later revealed their secret: “We communicated so well. Before the match, we told each other we are not going to say sorry if any of us puts the other in a bad spot.
“Actually, nobody wants to put their partner in trouble with their shots. It just happens. And that was a good strategy.”
The third round will be played on Wednesday at Jaypee Greens. The Regals take on Mumbai Aces, while the other two matches will be between Kolkata Classics and UP Prometheans and Nava Raipur against Charminar Champions.
League standings after round 2
Rajasthan Regals – 17 points
UP Prometheans – 17 points
Charminar Champions – 15 points
Nava Raipur – 14 points*
Mumbai Aces – 11 points*
Kolkata Classics – 7 points
(* denotes unfinished first round fourball match result to be determined on Monday)
Also read: Gritty Kartik steals opening day spotlight as the Regals top table
Discover more from Tee Time Tales
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.