Chandigarh teen claims lead in golf tourney

Chandigarh teenager Vasu Sehgal shot an error-free 5-under 67 in round two to gain two spots and move into the lead at a total of 8-under 100 at the PGTI NEXGEN Imperial Golf Estate in Ludhiana. Sehgal (19) enjoyed a commanding three-shot lead.

Noida’s Lakshya Nagar too carded a bogey-free 67 that helped him rise 13 spots to tied second position at a total of 5-under 103. Karnal’s Tushar Pannu, the overnight leader, signed for a 72 to also be placed tied second. Gurugram-based duo of Digraj Singh Gill (67) and Manish Thakran (68) along with Karnal’s Rohit Narwal (71) were tied fourth at 4-under 104.

The greens is a par-72 nine-hole course where the nine holes are played twice to comprise a round. The cut was declared at 2-over 110. A total of 40 professionals progressed to the third and final rounds. Sehgal (33-67), who was overnight tied third and two shots off the lead, began well with two birdies on the first three holes. Sehgal then went on to accumulate three consecutive birdies from the 10th through the 12th to end up with a flawless five-under for the day.

Sehgal gave an excellent display of ball-striking and wedge-play on Wednesday as he left himself three tap-in birdies and also made a couple of quality up and downs for birdies.