Yuvraj Sandhu extends his lead on day two at Clover Greens

Overnight leader Yuvraj Sandhu extended his advantage to two strokes on day two of the Players Championship at the Clover Greens course in Hosur on Wednesday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Yuvraj Sandhu extended his lead to two shots at the Rs 1 crore PGTI Players Championship t the Clover Greens Golf Course & Resort near Hosur in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

The Chandigarh golfer and Order of Merit leader produced a second-round score of 4 under par 67 to go with his opening 8 under 63 to total 12 under 130 after 36 holes, the PGTI said.

Pune-based Olympian Udayan Mane (67-65) returned the day’s best of 65 to climb eight spots into tied second place on 10 under 132 alongside Nepal’s Subash Tamang (64-68).

The cut came 1 over 143 with 57 professionals and one amateur making the final two rounds.

Bangalore-based teenager Veer Ganapathy was the only amateur to make the cut in tied 21^st place on 3 under 139.

Sandhu, a three-time winner this season on the PGTI, had an up and down front nine as he collected three birdies against as many bogeys. 

However, the 28-year-old made amends on the back nine by picking up four birdies to power ahead of the rest. 

Sandhu had a good day with the wedges and drove the Par-4 15^th green to set up a two-putt for birdie.

“I had a late finish in round one and the travel time back to my hotel was long. Then I didn’t sleep well,” Sandhu said.

Taking a toll

“This took a toll so I was not at my physical best today. I had a slower start today than what I was expecting as the body took some time to recover. 

“But I’m happy that I hung in there and still shot a decent score.”

Mane made his move on the day courtesy an eagle and seven birdies that came at the expense of three bogeys. 

The former PGTI Order of Merit champion nearly had a hole-in-one on the 14^th where his tee shot landed an inch from the cup. 

He also drove the green on the 15^th for an eagle-two and on the 13^th for a birdie.

Tamang, the 2023 All India Amateur champion, and still searching for a maiden professional win, mixed six birdies with three bogeys on Wedmnesday.

Also read: Sandhu continues hot streak in opening round at Clover Greens