Apr 20, 2018: Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino held on to his overnight lead by posting a three-under-par 68 to stay in control at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship on Friday.
The 21-year-old will enjoy a two-shot cushion heading into the weekend rounds with his two-day total of 10-under-par 132. But has to be wary of a host of players bunched in tied-second place that features India’s Rahil Gangjee and Malaysia’s Ben Leong, who have emerged as the surprise package at the Ibaraki Country Club this week.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond also made his move by grabbing a share of eighth place with another 68 while compatriot Rattanon Wannasrichan gave himself a reason to believe he can surmount a late challenge for the Panasonic Swing top prize by returning with a 67 for a tie of 11th place with American Sihwan Kim and the Japanese pair of Kodai Ichihara and Ryo Ishikawa.
Gangjee, who has not featured in the weekend rounds all year, sprung a surprise even on himself by marking his card with eight birdies at the JP¥150,000,000 (approx. US$1,370,000) event, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
“Today was like a dream round, considering I haven’t been playing that well for the last year and a half! I made a lot of putts and hit some decent shots too. I had no expectations. When I played my first practice round with Arjun, there were no birdies in nine holes so we were not expecting much from this golf course. I went out there and made eight birdies today, that was something. I’ve not been in this position for years and I guess I have to keep my tempo down as I’ve been going hard at it recently”, said Rahil.
The 39-year-old Indian posted the day’s lowest score of 65 to continue his dream run while Leong also kept his amazing run going by taking advantage of the benign weather conditions to stay close to Hoshino as the Malaysian chases his first Asian Tour win in a decade.
62 players progressed into the weekend rounds with the cut set at one-under.
Did you know?
- Rahil Gangjee has not made the cut in all three Asian Tour events he played in this year. He was forced to retire in his first two events in Singapore and Myanmar.
- Gangjee’s last win on the Asian Tour came in 2004 in China.
Asian Tour Release
