Kapur ends with eagle, shares lead at the Panasonic Open

New Delhi, November 4

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Shiv Kapur closed the day with a stunning 25-footer for an eagle to grab a share of the lead in the Panasonic Open at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) here today.

Minutes before he holed that massive putt, American Paul Peterson (70) chipped in from the edge on the 18th to move to 13-under, where he was joined by Kapur (69).

The last time Kapur held a share of the lead going into the final day of a tournament at his home club was at the 2010 SAIL Open. He, however, finished second to Swede Rikard Karlberg, and is still searching for his first pro win at the DGC.

Having started the day with a bogey, it was a testing day for Kapur as he had to dig deep into his reserves to grind out a 3-under 69.

Peterson started his round with an eagle but slipped down the leaderboard after bogeys on holes two, four and nine. A birdie on 14 before the closing eagle on 18 lifted the American back to the top.

Shamim Khan, another DGC man, signed for a 69 to take third place.

SSP Chawrasia made four birdies, including three in the last seven holes, to be tied-4th at 11-under alongside Om Prakash Chouhan (66) and Sudhir Sharma (66). Chouhan’s card included two chip-in birdies on the 7th and 11th and Sharma had eight birdies and two bogeys.

With just two shots separating the top six players, the stage is set for a gripping finish. Thaworn Wiratchant (68) lurks at 10-under. Five players, including four Indians — Aman Raj (69), Karandeep Kochar (69), Honey Baisoya (71) and Divyanshu Bajaj (72) — are at 8-under.

Kapur admitted he struggled today and did not have his ‘A’ game in place. “Suddenly, that 11-under became 13-under and it looked a whole lot different. My hitting was not good at all, and it was my short game that has been very sharp and it saved me,” Kapur said.

“But I am proud of the way I hung in and showed a lot of grit to save pars, and that eagle was a great way to end the day.” — PTI

Lahiri struggles but makes cut in Las Vegas

Las Vegas: Anirban Lahiri shot a 1-over 72 to make the cut at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open after managing four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey in the second round. The 29-year-old, who is making his third start in the 2017-18 season, had shot a 69 in the first round and is 1-under 141 at tied-35th. Meanwhile, JJ Spaun opened up a three-shot lead at the top. He added a 65 to his 66 and is 11-under. The 27-year-old is three shots clear of Kelly Kraft. — PTI