Panasonic Open: Sandhu one shot behind leaders

New Delhi: Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rehman overcame a shaky start to fire six-under 66 to share the lead with overnight leader Suradit Yongcharoenchai from Thailand, who returned with a bogey-free 67, on 11-under 133 total on Day Two of the Panasonic Open India golf tournament on Friday.

Chandigarh boy Ajeetesh Sandhu carded a matching score as Day 1 — five-under 67 — to take the third spot ahead of Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, who also carded a 67 at the venerable Delhi Golf Club. He was tied fifth on the opening day with five under.

Local boy Rashid Khan was sole fifth with four-under 68.

“It was a much better round today as compared to round one. I hit it better even though I missed a few putts. I’m quite pleased about my effort.

“At DGC one has to create opportunities by hitting maximum fairways. The par-5s also provide scoring opportunities if you play them well,” said Sandhu, who finished tied second in the 2017 edition.

Rehman struck two successive eagles after his ball went to bushes in front nine but soon regained his form to card three birdies to end first turn at 35. The back nine was blemish free with three more birdies and that was enough to send him top on the leaderboard. He came close to hit three eagles on par one, 14 and 18 but settled for birdies.

“After dropping two bogeys in a row, I told myself it happens, especially on this golf course, and I still have many holes to go. I had like three eagle chances today. I hit the green in two on all three par-fives,” Rehman, who won the Indian Open in 2014, said. The 33-year-old Siddikur is the first player from Bangladesh to win on the Asian Tour at the Brunei Open.

Veteran Jeev Milkha Singh, who has made just two cuts in 15 starts this year and has just one Top-5 finish since his win in the 2012 Scottish Open, was T-6th with M. Dharma (70-67) and four others.

One shot behind them in T-12 place were 53-year-old Mukesh Kumar (71-67), the 2016 Panasonic Open India champion, 23-year-old Aman Raj (70-68) and 17-year-old debutant pro Kshitij Naveed Kaul.

A total of 74 players progressed into the weekend rounds after making the halfway cut set at two-over-par 146 at the annual event.

Tapy Ghai slipped to T-15th after finishing tied second on Day 1.