Arjun Atwal soars at St Jude Classic

Arjun Atwal was on song for a second day running at the Fedex St Jude Classic

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Report by Anand Datla

 

June 14, 2015: Arjun Atwal seems like a man on a mission. In only his second start this season on the PGA TOUR, the Indian produced a fighting 68 to remain within four shots of the lead at the Fedex St Jude Classic. At one point during the round, Arjun shared the clubhouse lead with two others, before being overtaken by the men in front. The lead sits with Greg Owen and Fabian Gomez, both at 9-under 201.

 

The last time Atwal played on the PGA TOUR was at the Peurto Rico Open in March where he finished T27. Despite the long absence and a stolen car this week, the Indian has been at his best to plant himself inside the top ten with a 65 in the second round.

 

Arjun lost his bag when his rental car was stolen on Monday afternoon and had to scramble this week with clubs borrowed from the Ping trailer, before they shipped him the full set.

 

The 421st ranked Indian played an impeccable front nine on Saturday – making birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes to coast through the turn in just 33 shots.

 

Atwal moved to six under when he sank the ball from six feet out at the 12th hole. Unfortunately for the Indian, he flung it right at the 14th to drop into water on the right. The ensuing penalty meant that Arjun took the first bogey of his round.

 

Arjun made a measured putt at the 15th, devouring the hole from over 19ft to regain the lost sheet immediately. The TPC Southwind extracted one back from the Indian when he three putted from 45ft at the 17th hole.

 

It was a good day though for the Indian, who followed up his second round 65 with another brilliant round of 68. He made nine (of 14) fairways, reached eleven greens in regulation and took a reasonable 26 putts to survey the course in Memphis.

 

Scores:

-9 Greg Owen (Britain) 64 70 67

Fabian Gomez (Argentina) 66 68 67

-8 Scott Brown (U.S.) 65 69 68

Brooks Koepka (U.S.) 64 67 71

-6 Austin Cook (U.S.) 68 64 72

Matt Jones (Australia) 69 67 68

-5 Ryan Palmer (U.S.) 64 71 70

Chris Smith (U.S.) 67 67 71

David Toms (U.S.) 70 66 69

Tom Hoge (U.S.) 69 65 71

Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand) 70 70 65

Chad Campbell (U.S.) 69 66 70

Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 71 68 66

Arjun Atwal (India) 72 65 68

 

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