Yuvraj two shots behind leaders Wasim, Gaurav

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 18

Yuvraj Singh Sandhu carded a 4-under 63 to occupy the fifth spot at the end of the second round at the TATA Steel PGTI Feeder Tour at the Jaypee Greens Wish Town in Noida today.

With a two-day total of 9-under 125, Sandhu is a couple of shots behind Delhi’s Wasim Khan and Noida’s Gaurav Pratap Singh who shared the second round lead after returning with identical cards of 6-under 61.

Wasim (62-61) and Gaurav (62-61) posted error-free rounds to move up from their overnight tied-fourth position with matching totals of 11-under 123.

Delhi’s Manav Jaini shot the best round of tournament so far, a flawless 7-under 60, to share the third spot with Gurugram’s Abhishek Kuhar (63) at 10-under 124.

The cut went at 1-under 133 and 40 professionals made it to the third round at the par-67 course.

Wasim Khan capitalised on a hot putter as he sank all putts within a range of 10 feet. He also played some outstanding wedge shots and ended up making three birdies each on the front and back-nine. He closed the day on a high with birdies on the last two holes.

“It’s been a great week for me so far as I’ve dropped just one bogey in two rounds. Today my chipping and putting did the job for me. My good friend Rashid Khan often gives me valuable advice and tips. Even last week he told me a few things about my game. His advice has been working well for me,” said Wasim.

Gaurav Pratap Singh, who was striking it well, picked up four birdies on the front-nine and then added two more on the two par-5 holes, the 11th and 17th. Gaurav recovered well from the bunker on the 17th and then made a good par save on the 18th to end the day on a positive note.

“I’ve played well over the first two days as I’ve had just one bad hole so far where I dropped a couple of strokes. Hitting the wedges close and converting my chances on the greens will be the key on the final day,” said Gaurav.

Manav Jaini climbed seven positions from overnight tied 10th to tied third as a result of his sizzling 60. Jaini, a two-time winner on the PGTI, landed it within six feet on six occasions to set up birdies. He almost holed out from 45 yards on the 6th where it stopped a couple of inches from the flag.

Abhishek Kuhar’s round featured six birdies and two bogeys. He had a chip-in on the 11th. Abhishek, the overnight joint leader, dropped two places today.

Jalandhar’s Victor Hans (66) and Lucknow’s Rajesh Kumar Rawat (66) — the other two joint leaders from Day 1, slipped to tied 7th place.