BILT Open:Rashid extends lead

October 24, 2013: Rashid Khan determined to see it through this time, extended his lead to three shots after returning a four-under-68 in round two at the BILT Open 2013 being played at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida. Rashid’s total score stood at 12-under-132 at the halfway stage. Kolkata’s SSP Chowrasia fired a seven-under-65 in round two to be placed second. While, SSP Chowrasia climbed to No. 2 after firing round of 65.

Rashid Khan (64-68), a 10th tee starter on Wednesday, got into his stride early on in the round as he collected birdies on the 11th and 12th to build on his first round lead. Rashid landed his approach shot within a foot of the pin on the 11th and made a good up and down from the bunker on the 12th. The 22-year-old salvaged another birdie from the bunker on the second hole. The bogey on the third was the only blemish on his card. Khan went on to sink birdie putts from 15 feet and 10 feet on the fifth and eighth respectively.

“I made 15 greens in regulation today as compared to 13 in round one but I didn’t hole as many putts as I had done in round one. The wind was swirling today and that created some confusion. I hit some decent bunker shots. My game is shaping up well and I’ll now look to target a total score of 25-under, ” said Rashid.

SSP Chowrasia (70-65) produced a bogey-free 65 to climb from overnight tied 13th to second place at nine-under-135. SSP, playing his first event of the 2013 PGTI season, chipped-in for birdie on the 13th and made birdie putts from 20 feet and 10 feet on the 15th and 17th respectively. He also hit his tee shot close to the flag for a tap-in birdie on the third.

“I putted really well. I’m quite pleased with my second round effort as it puts me in a strong position. I’ve had some good match practice in recent weeks and that will help me this week,” delighted Chowrasia shared.

Rahil Gangjee of Kolkata is in joint third along with Sri Lankan Mithun Perera at seven-under-137.

Former BILT Open champion Chiragh Kumar of Delhi shares fifth place with Chandigarh golfer Abhijit Singh Chadha and Panchkula’s Angad Cheema at six-under-138.

Defending champion Shamim Khan of Delhi is in tied ninth place at four-under-140. Abhinav Lohan shot the day’s best score of 64 to join Shamim in tied ninth position.

Two-time BILT Open champion Jyoti Randhawa of the DLF Golf & Country Club lies tied 27th at one-under-143.

The cut came down at one-over-145. Fifty-eight professionals and two amateurs made the cut.