Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 | Last Update : 04:53 PM IST

  Chikka vaults into contention

Chikka vaults into contention

Published : Oct 21, 2016, 12:06 am IST
Updated : Oct 21, 2016, 12:06 am IST

S Chikkarangappa makes a shot during the second round at the KGA on Thursday. (Photo: R. Samuel)

S Chikkarangappa makes a shot during the second round at the KGA on Thursday. (Photo: R. Samuel)

Living up to his billing, S Chikkarangappa overcame the opening day deficit to grab a share of the lead along with overnight leader Sujjan Singh on the second day of the inaugural Take Open championship.

The Bengaluru pro, who was languishing at tied ninth after the opening round, jumped to the top of the leaderboard with a flawless card of five-under-67 for a total score of eight-under-136.

In contrast, Sujjan had a more mellow round compared to his opening day but managed to hold on to the lead turning in a card of two-under-70. Team-mate and joint overnight leader Abhijit Singh Chadha slipped with an even-par round to end the day on tied fourth.

Lying one shot behind the leaders was promising youngster Shubhankar Sharma, who jumped from tied fifth to second after a three-under-69 for a total of seven-under-137.

While Chikka’s solid show gave the home hope a boost, another local amateur, Jaibir Singh put up a sizzling performance on the course to help ruffle up the leaderboard.

Jaibir makes an impression With the sun blazing down, the Bengaluru golfer slowly crept up to put himself in contention heading into the third day to lie tied fourth with a total of five-under-139. The local lad was placed in a cluster along with seasoned pros Anura Rohana and Rahil Gangjee along with overnight leader Chadha.

Jabir put up a consistent show, turning in a similar card of 3-under-69 on back-to-back days. Though the 26-year-old started off with a bogey, he recovered with a birdie on the 3rd and 5th hole, followed by another missed shot on the 7th. Taking the turn on an even par score, Jabir turned his game around saving a shot on the 11th and then going on a birdie run with three back-to-back birdies on the 13th, 14th and 15th, missing only a shot on the 16th.

Meanwhile, Chikka got off to a steady start, saving two shots on the front nine (5th and 7th) and three on the back. On the back nine the 23-year-old carded three back-to-back birdies on 14th, 15th and 16th, converting a 20-footer on the 14th for the birdie.

Though he put himself in contention for the top prize, Chikka wasn’t content with his game. “I started well, but after seven holes I didn’t make any putts. I didn’t hit well and my wedge play was off. I somehow managed to hole the putts.”

The cut fell at two-over-146 with 53 professionals and two amateurs —Bengaluru’s Jaibir and Aadil Bedi — making the cut.

Location: India, Karnataka, Bengaluru