Terry Pilkadaris sails into the lead; Rashid and Shiv play well on Friday

Aussie golfer Terry Pilkadaris shot 64 in the second round of the Hero Indian Open

1843
Terry Pilkadaris powered to the top of the leaderboard with a terrific 64 in the second round of the Hero Indian Open

March 18, 2016: The DGC is bleeding birdies this morning and the players are making merry. Terry Pilkadaris raced far and away from the field with some aggressive golf, firing a brilliant 64 that helped him to 13-under 131. The Aussie was runner up at the Made in Denmark event last year, but has accomplished precious little since then. On Friday though, the world No. 313 played some high percentage golf, attacking the flags and scoring birdies at will to impose himself at the top of the Hero Indian Open leaderboard.

Rashid Khan played well too. He birdied each of the four par-5 holes on the course to rise up the order and set up for a strong finish this weekend. Khan is among a small collection of golfers that are using the driver this week, with most of the field bearing on it with their woods and irons.

“I’m putting really well but if I can find more greens then I think I can do well. Normally people struggle with the tee shots but I’m hitting my driver long and straight,” said Rashid. “I’m just a little confused with my irons. That’s my problem right now. I need some practice to control my distance.”

“It means a lot to play at the Hero Indian Open,” added Rashid, after adding a 68 to his 69 in the first round. “It is like a fifth Major for us and it is more special because we play on our home ground. I have a chance now so let’s see.” Khan is presently lying T4 on the leaderboard, but there is plenty more scores yet to come later in the day.

Spaniard Nacho Elvira was lying in second after his 68 helped him get there at 10-under 134. English player Ben Evans was in third, jumping 21 spots with a fine 66 in the second round.

Overnight leader Daniel Im started with an eagle at the first hole, but surrendered bogeys to drop back to even par on the round. Jorge Campillo failed to press forth on Friday, shooting one under 71 to add to his 66 from the first round. Both men are at 7-under, though Im was at the 8th hole at the time of this post.

Shiv Kapur was disappointed with an even 72 in the first round. The Indian golfer put in a long session in practice last evening and came back an energized man this morning. He was also driven by a text he received from his friend – former tennis national Vishal Uppal. It read, “It is hard to defeat a man that does not give up.”

Kapur was far from ready to give up. He played with renewed commitment this morning to jump 41 spots to T13. Shiv shot seven birdies including three straight to finish his round on the ninth, feeling very confident about his game, ahead of the weekend.

Join the Conversation