Jamal Hossain retains overnight lead

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 3

Jamal Hossain of Bangladesh did not have the best of days but still managed to hold on to his overnight lead with a resolute four-under 68 in Round 2 of the Rs 1.5 crore Jeev Milkha Singh Golf Invitational 2023 being played at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

The 38-year-old Dhaka resident, Jamal (65-68), a winner earlier this year and currently placed sixth on the PGTI ranking, totalled 11-under 133 for 36 holes to enjoy a one-shot lead over Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya (66-68), who too held on to his overnight second position after a round of 68.

Chandarjeet Yadav from neighbouring Chandimandir occupied the third place at nine-under 135 following his 67. Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha shot the day’s joint lowest score of 66 to be the highest placed among the local professionals and tied fourth with a total of eight-under 136. Faridabad-based Karan Pratap Singh too carded a 66 to share the fourth spot with Chadha.

Rahil Gangjee was the third player to return a 66. Gangjee was tied sixth at six-under 138 with local lads Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, Angad Cheema and Brashwarpal Singh.

Sudhir Sharma of Greater Noida made a hole-in-one on the 14th during his round of 69 that had him tie 13th at four-under 140. Interestingly, no one has so far fired a hole-in-one on the 11th, in which the prize is a car.

Tournament host Jeev Milkha Singh (72-70), playing at his home course, posted a 70 on Day 2 to rise 19 spots to be tied 28th at two-under 142. Jeev thus made the cut for the first time at his event after missing out in the past five editions.

The cut was declared at even-par 144. Fifty-six professionals and two amateurs made it to the money rounds. With his driving and putting not clicking, Hossain only managed two birdies and a bogey till the 10th hole. He then had a late surge with birdies on the 13th, 16th and 18th that helped him retain his top spot on the leaderboard.

“My iron-play and chipping saved the day for me. Those were the only aspects of my game that stood out today. Making 31 putts was a little disappointing, but I managed to focus hard enough towards the end of my round to make those much-needed birdies to stay ahead,” said Jamal, who is very keen to win in Chandigarh after having come close to victory at the venue on multiple occasions in the past. PGTI Ranking leader Om Prakash Chouhan (75) was tied 49th at even-par 144.

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