Pathania wows on Pune grounds

Greater Noida’s Mandeo Singh Pathania led by two shots from Harendra Gupta with a six-under 66 in the second round of the inaugural Pune Open golf tournament on Wednesday.

Pathania’s second round effort took his total to nine-under-135, while Chandigarh’s Gupta shot the day’s best score of seven-under 65 that propelled him to seven-under 137 at the `30 lakh event.

Pathania (69-66), overnight tied fifth, posted a bogey-free 66 to take the pole position at the half way stage. The 33-year-old from Jaypee Greens picked up three strokes from a range of six to 10 feet and also capitalised on three of the four par-5s with birdies.

Pathania, a former winner on the PGTI, who spent most of last year playing professional golf in Canada, could have drained an eagle as well had he not missed a five-footer on the fourth. Pathania, known for his long-hitting is using the opportunity of playing at the Pune Open to tune his game before he heads back to Canada to play pro golf in summer.

Gupta (72-65), who began the day seven shots off the lead, climbed into contention on Wednesday thanks to his improved ball-striking. The 31-year-old made good use of the advice he received on his swing from Bangladesh professional Mohammad Sayum last week in Dhaka.

Harendra, a winner of eight professional titles, got into rhythm with an eagle on the par-5 ninth. He thereafter accumulated five birdies on the back nine by landing it within six feet on most occasions.

Round one leader Pratap Atwal followed up his opening round 65 with a 73, to slip to tied third at six-under-138.

Atwal sank an eagle and a birdie but also had two bogeys and a double bogey on the day.

Ranjit Singh shot a second straight 69 courtesy his sharp chipping and putting to join Atwal in tied third. Gaganjeet Bhullar’s second round 71 placed him fifth at five-under-139. Chiragh Kumar returned a 74 to be placed tied 11th at three-under-141. Rashid Khan’s 71 meant he was a shot back in the tied 13th.

Bengaluru’s Udayan Mane and Delhi’s Himmat Singh Rai were tied 21st at one-under-143. Rookies Aman Raj of Patna and Noida-based Samarth Dwivedi, both playing their first professional event, also took a share of 21st place.

Pravin Pathare and Sagar Raghuvanshi closed Round Two in the tied 27th place with totals of even-par-144. A total of 50 professionals made the cut.