Jamal Hossain of Bangladesh didn’t have the best of days but still managed to hold on to his overnight lead with a resolute four-under 68 in Round Two of the INR 1.5 crore Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2023 presented by TAKE Sports being played at the Chandigarh Golf Club.
The 38-year-old Dhaka resident (65-68), a winner earlier this year and currently placed sixth on the TATA Steel PGTI Ranking, totaled 11-under 133 for 36 holes to enjoy a one-shot lead over Sachin Baisoya (66-68), who too held on to his overnight second position after a round of 68.
Related: Jamal Hossain thrives as favourite venue, Chandigarh GC
Chandarjeet Yadav occupied the third place at nine-under 135 following his 67.
Abhijit Singh Chadha shot the day’s joint lowest score of 66 to be the highest-placed among the local professionals at tied fourth with a total of eight-under 136.
Karan Pratap Singh too carded a 66 to share fourth place with Chadha.
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Rahil Gangjee was the third player to return a 66. Gangjee was in tied sixth at six-under 138 along with Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, Angad Cheema and Brashwarpal Singh.
Sudhir Sharma made a hole-in-one on the 14th during his round of 69 that placed him tied 13th at four-under 140. Interestingly, no one has so far fired a hole-in-one on the 11th where the prize is a car, the Maruti Jimny.
Tournament host Jeev Milkha Singh (72-70), playing at his home course, posted a 70 on day two to rise 19 spots to tied 28th at two-under 142. Jeev thus made the cut for the first time at his event after missing out in the previous five editions.
The cut was declared at even-par 144. Fifty-six professionals and two amateurs made it to the money rounds.
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With his driving and putting not clicking, Jamal 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.
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