Sandhu on course at Digboi with resolute show in round two

By Rahul Banerji

A dogged two-under-par 70 helped defending champion Yuvraj Singh Sandhu maintain a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the IndianOil Servo Masters at the Digboi Golf Links on Thursday.

Greater Noida’s Arjun Sharma returned a 68 after his opening 66 to hold second place at the Rs. 75 lakh event on 10-under 134.

Sri Lankan Anura Rohana (71) was third on nine-under 135 while Mysore’s Aalaap I.L. (68) was fourth at eight-under 136.

The 36-hole cut was on one-over 145 with 58 professionals making the money rounds.

PGTI Order of Merit leader Sandhu (63-70), a 10^th tee starter on Thursday, made yet another promising start with an early birdie.

The Chandigarh golfer, however,  stumbled with a bogey on the next hole where he found the hazard. A double-bogey followed when he found the ball plugged in the bunker behind a tree.

Sandhu, a four-time winner on the PGTI this year, bounced back with a birdie before the turn and then had a solid second nine where he made an 18-footer for eagle and another birdie on a bunker recovery.

Yuvraj said, “When I started off today the body was a little colder so I was struggling with my ball striking.

“Importantly, I hung in there today. I’ll now try to get plenty of rest after today’s round in order to recover fully for the last two rounds.

Confidence boost

“The eagle putt on the seventh was a saviour and the finishing birdie on the ninth was also a confidence-booster.

“I do feel comfortable at this course based on my experience from last year. It’s easy to find trouble here but one should know which side to miss the green.”

Sharma, a runner-up on the PGTI this year, had a terrific back nine that contained an eagle and three birdies to stake a claim for the lead.

He drove the par-4 14^th green to set up an eagle-two and drained a 15-footer. He also set up two tap-in birdies.

Sharma’s putter then went cold and he dropped a shot to open his second nine and couldn’t convert further birdie opportunities. Arjun also had a bogey when his drive landed in the hazard.

Arjun said, “I’ve played the tougher back nine better on both days. I feel the front-nine is relatively easier but I haven’t been able to capitalize on it so far, something I need to do over the next two days.”

Udayan Mane and Manu Gandas were tied 11^th at five-under 139 while Khalin Joshi was tied 25^th on three-under 141.

Among the local professionals, Dulal Kalowar was the only player to make the cut on the bubble.

Also read: Yuvraj Sandhu goes nine-under for round 1 lead at Digboi