Players Championship: Abhijit Chadha leads by three after round two

September 30, 2015: Abhijit Chadha remained the only golfer without a blemish to his card, as he built up a comfortable three shot lead at the halfway stage of the Players Championship. Chadha shot a brilliant 65 to add to his 62 from the first round to gain control at the demanding Ramgarh Golf Course in Jaipur. Overnight leaders Udayan Mane and Shankar Das remained together, adding 69 to their first round 61 to lie in second.

Abhijit ended Wednesday with a pair of consecutive birdies at the last two holes, adding to his lead over the field. He made two birdies on the outward nine, before adding three more on the return stretch.

“I capitalized well on the par-5s today leaving myself easy birdie putts. The only long putt was the 20-footer for birdie on the fifth. It sets me up well for the weekend. I feel the 45-day tour of the United States that I undertook this summer with some other fellow Indian professionals has done me loads of good,” said an obviously delighted Chadha. I played tournaments on a number of courses in the US with varying playing conditions. I gained a lot of exposure during the trip.”

Udayan started with a bogey at the first hole, but turned it around nicely adding three birdies in five holes between the fourth and eighth holes. He suffered a setback when he made an uncharacteristic double bogey at the par-5 14th hole. He dipped under par again only when he added a late birdie at the 17th to account for his 69.

Mane said, “I was two-over through 12 holes today but fought back well with three birdies thereafter. I told myself after the first that I will finish well if I stick to the process and play without fear. I thus managed to pull it back at the end.”

Shankar Das took 35 shots to complete his first nine holes, dampened by two straight bogeys at the 7th and 8th holes. Birdies at the 11th and 13th picked up his spirits but it was only just enough to help Das close out the second round at one under par.

“I really struggled with my chipping and putting today. It was also windier as compared to round one. The highlight of my round was narrowly missing the hole-in-one on the 13th. However, I still feel I’m in the mix and in with a chance,” said Shankar.

Consistency paid off for Sujjan Singh, who managed to add a 67 to his 66 from Tuesday for a 36 hole score of 7-under 133.

Sri Lankan Anura Rohana was keeping Singh company in T4 after he made an even 70 in the second round. Rohana was already 7-under at the end of 18 holes when he posted a 63 on Tuesday.

Khalin Joshi, Manav Jaini and Rahul Bajaj were all tied in sixth through 36 holes. A late flourish enabled Joshi to sign on a 68. Manav made 67 and Bajaj shot 70 adding to their midway score of 134.

Noida’s Rahul Bajaj, who shot the day’s best score of six-under-64, climbed up 38 spots to tied sixth at six-under-134. Bangalore’s Khalin Joshi (66) and Delhi’s Manav Jaini (67) joined Bajaj in tied sixth place.

Kolkata’s Feroz Ali Mollah had the distinction of shooting two eagles during his round of 67 that placed him tied ninth at five-under-135.

Local favourite Vishal Singh of Jaipur was tied 31st at one-under-139. He shot a 68 in round two.

Shubham Narain of Delhi was the lone amateur to make the cut. He too was tied 31st at one-under-139. Narain came up with a solid 66 on Wednesday.

The cut was declared at one-over-141. Fifty-six professionals and one amateur made the cut.