New Delhi, December 2, 2016: The Indian trio of Khalin Joshi, Rashid Khan and Shamim Khan fired opening round scores of five-under-67 on day two to join compatriots Jyoti Randhawa and Mukesh Kumar at the top of the leaderboard.
There was more good news for India as 20-year-old Shubhankar Sharma was sitting at a total of five-under through 12 holes of round two when play was suspended on Friday due to fading light. He trailed Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond by two shots. Jazz had completed 14 holes of round two when play was halted.
After causing a four hour delay on Thursday, fog again played spoilsport on Friday leading to a three hour delay in start of play. As a result of the inclement weather and major delays, the Panasonic Open India 2016 was reduced to a 54-hole tournament comprising of three stipulated rounds.
Out of a total of 114 players, only six could complete round two on Friday. The rest will resume play at 0700 hrs on Saturday. The third round will only commence on Sunday morning.
Khalin Joshi, looking to seal his Asian Tour card with a top finish this week, mixed eight birdies with three bogeys to close round one in pole position.
The 24-year-old Bengalurean, who enjoyed a great start with a chip-in birdie on his opening 10th hole, said, “I hit most of the fairways which is the key on this golf course. I holed a few long putts but I missed a few short ones today. I missed a few putts yesterday so I thought the suspension helped a bit. I got some practice after that and I am happy to come back today and put myself in the lead.
“I am just very excited right now. I need to play well this week to keep my Asian Tour card and I have put myself in a good position right now. I just need to stay focused.
“I like this course but I have not played well in this tournament for the past few years. I am feeling good with where I stand. The game’s been feeling good. I just need to cap four good rounds.”
Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan, playing at his home course, shot a flawless 67 which featured three birdie putts from 15 to 20 feet
Rashid said, “I’m happy with a bogey-free round. I wasn’t thinking much out there. I know this course very well. I just find it a little difficult to read the greens today. It feels kind of different today. The greens are usually faster than this.
“I will try and keep things the same heading into the next two rounds. The season hasn’t been ideal for me. I have had a lot of injuries, including the bike accident a few months back.
“I still haven’t found my best game yet so I am really looking for one this week. I just need one good round.”
The 38-year-old Shamim Khan, who won on the PGTI last week, continued his hot streak at his home course with a bogey-free 67 which included a birdie putt each from 20 feet and 35 feet.
Shamim said, “I’ve been in a good zone since my win at the PGTI event in Mumbai last week. I’ve been making a lot of long putts since last week. I converted a couple today as well. However, I’ve not been hitting it well off the tee. My tee shots really need to improve if I have to put myself in contention in the next two rounds.
“I generally make a lot of regulations but that wasn’t the case in round one. I guess I was feeling the effects of playing the round over two days as I played six holes yesterday and 12 today. I’ve grown up playing at the DGC, so I know even if I’m not at my best I can still shoot a good score here.”
