Akshay Sharma built a two-shot lead with a flawless seven-under 65 in Round Two of the INR 1 crore KGiSL Presents Coimbatore Open 2024 at the Coimbatore Golf Club.
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Akshay, who had carded a 69 in Round One, sat on top of the pack at a total of 10-under 134.
Manu Gandas (71-65) occupied second place after he too returned an error-free 65 on Thursday.
Dubai-based rookie Rayhan Thomas, playing his first event on the PGTI, posted a 67 for second at a total score of seven-under 137 along with another rookie Shaurya Bhattacharya (71). Rayhan also had a bogey-free day.
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The cut was declared at two-over. Sixty-one professionals made the cut for the money rounds.
Akshay, lying overnight tied ninth and three off the lead, kickstarted his round with a birdie chip-in on the second. The two-time winner on the PGTI then set up a tap-in for birdie on the par-3 fourth where he struck an excellent tee shot. Thirty-three-year-old Akshay sank another birdie from close range on the sixth and converted a 12-footer for eagle on the ninth to make the turn at an impressive five-under.
Akshay’s two birdies on the back-nine came as a result of a 15-feet conversion and a phenomenal chip that stopped one foot from the hole.
Akshay said, “I took full advantage on the front-nine today as the conditions were calm while I was playing that stretch. The wind picked up later and therefore there were fewer scoring opportunities for me on the back-nine.
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“Importantly, I made all fairways today except one and hit 14 greens in regulation. It’s always quite satisfying to play a bogey-free round. I did well to not make any mistakes today. I enjoy playing at Coimbatore as I’ve done well here in the past. That always helps the confidence.”
Aadil Bedi shot the week’s lowest round so far, a nine-under 63, that featured 10 birdies and a bogey. Bedi thus gained 88 spots to end the day in tied 25th place.
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Aadil, who made a bogey after a lost ball on the 12th, got his round going with a birdie on the 14th, a long par-3. He then drained birdies on the next two holes missing a hole-in-one by a whisker on the 16th where the reward for an ace is a Nissan Magnite car. After the turn, Bedi had a run of four straight birdies from the first to the fourth thanks to his excellent ball-striking and putting.
Reigning champion Harshjeet Singh Sethie of Delhi was placed tied 49th at two-over 146.
