By IANS,
Gurgaon : Saurabh Bahuguna’s putter was as hot as the weather outside as he shot a four-under 68 to surge into sole two-shot lead at the end of the second round of the LG ITC Classic Open Amateur golf championship at the par-72 Jack Nicklaus designed Classic Golf Resort on Wednesday.
Pawan Kumar was sole second after a second round 69 while Vikram Rana shot the day’s best of six-under 66 to be placed third at 143. Five players – HS Kang, Abhishek Jha, Rahul Bajaj, Jasjeet Singh and L Selvadurai were tied for the fourth spot at level par 144. Overnight leader Kapil Kumar returned a card of two-over 74 to be placed ninth at 145 while the Amanjyot Singh was tenth at 146.
Saurabh’s round was studded with seven birdies against three bogeys. Beginning from the 10th, Saurabh was right on target making a birdie on the easy par-4 10th. After saving one more stroke on the 12th, he dropped a shot on the 13th before making amends with a birdie on the 14th. He saved one more stroke on the tough par-3 17th to finish his front nine at 3-under.
On the back nine, the only eventful holes seemed to be in the middle of his round where he made a bogey on the par-4 fourth with a birdie each on either side. He kept his cool despite the mounting heat to par the rest of the holes and submitted a card of 68.
“Actually my putter saved the day for me,” said Saurabh. I was driving it well but my iron-play was a bit of suspect. Luckily my putter came good which was a saving grace,” he added.
Top scores after 36 holes: 140 Saurabh Bahuguna (72, 68); 142 Pawan Kumar (73, 69); 143 Vikram Rana (77, 66); 144 HS Kang (72, 72), Abhishek Jha (73, 71), Rahul Bajaj (74, 70), Jasjeet Singh (74, 70), L Selvadurai (77, 67); 145Kapil Kumar (71, 74); 146 Amanjyot Singh (72, 74).