PGTI: Sanjay in control after day 2

October 11, 2013: Home turf advantage has helped Lucknow golfers continue their domination in round two of the PGTI Feeder Tour event. At the end of day 2, the top four golfers on the leader board were from Lucknow. While Sanjay Kumar held on to his lead with a sublime five-under-65 on day two, Vijay Kumar posted a solid four-under-66 to be placed two strokes behind the leader in second position.

Sanjay Kumar (66-65), the overnight leader, shot the day’s best score to open up a two-shot lead at nine-under-131. The defending champion was in good hitting form as he landed it within six feet on four occasions for birdies on the second, seventh, ninth and 14th. Sanjay also sank two 12-footers for birdies on the third and 18th. The only blemish on his card was the bogey on the 15th where he missed a three-foot putt.

[highlight]  I’m in a good position at this stage and would look to use the local knowledge to my advantage in the final round, said Sanjay [/highlight]

Sanjay said, “I hit it really close today. The hot of the day was the approach from 110 yards on the ninth that hit the flag and dropped inches from the hole. The weather was good today and that helped me play better than round one. I’m in a good position at this stage and would look to use the local knowledge to my advantage in the final round.”

Vijay Kumar (67-66) ended day two with a total of seven-under-133. He made bogey on the first but soon recovered with a couple of good chip-putts for birdies on the third and seventh. The 45-year-old seasoned campaigner sank an 18-footer for birdie on the 14th. Vijay collected another birdie on the 16th before chipping-in to pick up his last birdie of the day on the 18th.

The two Lucknow golfers who occupy third and fourth place are Rajesh Kumar Rawat (four-under-136) and Sanjeev Kumar (three-under-137) respectively.

Jalandhar’s Balwinder Singh Mattu is a further stroke behind in fifth place.

Balbir Singh Verma of Delhi made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole. His second round score of 68 moved his total to three-over-143 and placed him tied 17th.

Thirty-eight professionals made the cut after Thursday’s round.The cut was declared at nine-over-149.