Panchkula, March 13, 2009: Delhi’s Vinod Kumar produced a three under 69 on day two of the PGTI Players Championship presented by Panchkula Golf Club to grab the second round lead. Vinod, who had earlier fired 67 in round one, took his overall score to eight under 136.
Gaganjeet Bhullar (65, 73), the overnight leader, slipped into second place after returning a one over 73 on Friday. Bhullar trails Vinod by two strokes as his total reads six under 138. Mohd Siddikur Rahman (69, 70) occupies third position at five under 139.
The cut was declared at five over 149. Fifty professionals made the cut.
Vinod Kumar put together a solid 69 on Friday to climb from overnight third place to the top of the leaderboard. The 29-year-old was going great guns at one stage as he was five under after 10 holes. He birdied the 10th, sank an eagle on the 12th and knocked down more birdies on the 15th and first.
The professional from the Delhi Golf Club then experienced a bit of a slump on the back nine, dropping bogeys on the second, fourth and ninth besides a birdie on the fifth.
“I didn’t play as well as yesterday but I am happy to be leading at this stage. My hitting was quite good, however, my chipping and putting did not seem to click. I missed a number of short putts, including a two-footer on the 11th for par. I felt very confident on the first nine but a few bad shots on the second nine did me in,” said Vinod.
He added, “The highlight of my round today was the eagle on the par five 12th where I hit my second shot (4 iron) to within 12 feet of the flag. I’ll just try to be a little more consistent over the next two days. I have been playing well of late and for that I owe a lot to my sponsor Mercedes-Benz as well as Mr. Ravi Talwar who has been one of my biggest supporters.”
Gaganjeet Bhullar made three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey in round two to drop down to second place. “I had a pretty ordinary round today and would like to put it behind me before heading into round three,” said Bhullar, who was disappointed with his second round effort.
Mohd Siddikur Rahman (69, 70) fired five birdies against three bogeys for his two under 70 on day three. He currently occupies third place at five under 139.
Anirban Lahiri, Vijay Kumar, Jaiveer Virk, Gaurav Pratap Singh and the Chandigarh duo of Sujjan Singh and Harendra Gupta are all tied fourth at four under 140.
Mukesh Kumar, R Murthy and Chandigarh’s Gurbaaz Mann share 10th place with matching totals of three under 141.
Gaurav Ghei and C Muniyappa are both tied 24th at two over 146.