02 November 2018: Stung by the low scoring on Thursday, the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort tucked the pins away in difficult corners on the second day of the Turkish Airlines Open. As if in retaliation, the players ganged up to deliver a crowded leaderboard in Antalya, Turkey. There are nearly two dozen golfers within five shots of the leaders, setting up an intriguing weekend. Meanwhile, Shubhankar Sharma posted one over 72 on Friday to reach the weekend at an even 142.
Mid-day Report, with the round still under progress
Tom Lewis produced a sensational 63 to ride into contention even as Justin Rose and Thorbjorn Olesen held steady at the top of the leaderboard. The two men, champions in 2017 and 2016 respectively were 11-under with only four holes left to play.
Lewis was at 10-under with Danny Willett, who posted a 65. Adrian Otaegui, Alexander Levy, Sam Horsfield and Paul Dunne were all a further stroke behind in T5.
“I am hitting the ball decently,” assured a disappointed Shubhankar. “It could easily have been four or five under. I missed quite a few opportunities at the start and a three-putt at the tenth took away all my momentum.”
“I was hopeful of a good score after making birdies at the 7th and 8th. I had a chance at the ninth too, but the tenth was a dampener. And then I ended up making some bogeys on the return stretch,” added Shubhankar. “Overall though, I am not in a bad position. There are two more rounds to go and I will try and come back with a couple of good rounds.”
Shubhankar was one under at the bend, but bogeys at 10 and 12 took the air out of his lungs. The 22-year-old recovered to make a birdie at the 13th but took another knock at the par-5 15th. He coasted to a 72 with three straight pars.
At an even 142, Shubhankar is lying in T53 and will hope for a couple of solid low scores to try and climb up the order at this 78 player European Tour event.
