PGTI Players Championship: Veer fires 62, ends Day 2 as clubhouse leader

Panchkula, September 9

Veer Ahlawat shot an extraordinary 10-under 62 to open a massive seven-shot lead and end the second day as clubhouse leader at the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship after heavy rain and thunderstorm delayed the start of play at the Panchkula Golf Club here today.

The 25-year-old Gurugram golfer got going with four straight birdies from the 4th to the 7th as he kept landing it within four to eight feet of the flag thanks to his brilliant hitting. Ahlawat continued the trend on the back-nine by picking up six more birdies.

Ahlawat, however, could not break Mandeo Singh Pathania’s course record of 9-under 63 from 2009 as the rule of “preferred lie” is in place this week.

Noida’s Amardeep Malik struck a solid 7-under 65 with eight birdies and a bogey to be placed second in the clubhouse at a total of 8-under 136.

Chandigarh’s Ranjit Singh (68-69) was third in the clubhouse at 7-under 137 while veteran Harendra Gupta (71-67) was fourth at 6-under 138.

Out of a total field of 124, only 59 players completed their second round due to the delayed start. The remaining 65 players with unfinished second rounds will resume play at 7 am tomorrow. — TNS