LAHORE, Nov 18: Chiragh Kumar of India posted a card of 71 to emerge leader with an overall score of 139 on the second day of Pakistan amateur golf championship at the Lahore Gymkhana course on Friday.
Chirgah, who was one stroke behind the first day leader Fakhar Imam, played calculated strokes and at the end of the day found him in front.
Though Chirgah had only two stroke lead over Saddiqueur Rehman of Bangladesh, he will be able to retain the top position on the third day provided he maintains form.
The first day leader Fakhar Imam played sluggishly as after earning a fine card of 67 on the first day he registered a poor one 77 to make aggregate 144 and was out of the top three positions.
Saddique, however, showed more consistency to grab the second position. He finished the day with a fine score of 69 as against 72 he carded on the opening day to aggregate 141.
At 143, Tariq Mahmood from Pakistan was at the third position after he had a round of 72.
Manvas Das of India who produced the best card of the day of 67, managed to improve a lot as with aggregate 144 (77, 67) he had matched the first day leader Fakhar at the fourth position.
The International team event has gradually tilted India’s way as they have improved their first day one stroke lead to eight on the second day making aggregate 427 against defending champions Pakistan’s 435.
Manvas Das, who produced the best card of the day, was instrumental in increasing the team lead. The other team members are Chirgah (71) and Gagan Verma (74).
Bangladesh are occupying third spot with aggregate 437 while Sri Lanka failed to improve their performance and are trailing at the fourth spot with aggregate 461.
Ladies and seniors also teed off their first round.
Miss Vishavi Sinha of India played the first round of 73 to grab the top position.
Jamila Jabbar of Pakistan is six strokes behind at 79 and Mrs. Tahira Nazir at 80.
Amongst the seniors, Abdul Haq of Peshawar was more consistent than the others, and his 77 makes him three strokes better than Brig. R. Bajwa and Javed A. Khan.
Results:
139-Chiragh Kumar (Ind) 68+71,
141-M. Saddiqueur Rehman (BD) 72+69
143-Tariq Mehmood 71+72,
144-Manav Das (Ind) 77+67, Fakhar Imam 67+77
145-M. Ali Hai 73+72
147- M. Safdar Khan 75+72, Simarjeet Singh (Ind) 73+74
148-Gangan Verma (Ind) 77+71, M. Waseem Rana 74+74