Golfer Chadha emerges leader in Round 2 of TATA Open

Chandigarhs Abhijit Singh Chadha emerged leader in round two, courtesy a flawless seven-under-64 that took his total to 13-under-129 at the 16th TATA Open here on Friday.

Sri Lankan Anura Rohana produced the best round of the tournament so far, a staggering 10-under-61, to move into tied second at 12-under-130 along with three-time former champion Mukesh Kumar (65) of Mhow.

Chadha (65-64), lying overnight tied fourth at the scenic Golmuri Golf Course, earned his place on top of the leaderboard after a sizzling round that featured three birdies on the back-nine and four more on the front-nine.

The 26-year-old Chadha, a two-time winner on the PGTI, made some quality chip-putts on the back-nine and followed that up with a couple of long conversions on the front-nine.

Anura Rohana's (69-61) unbelievable 61 propelled him from overnight tied 43rd to tied second place.

The seasoned 44-year-old, who won on the PGTI earlier this year, made a charge early in the day with birdies on the second, third and fourth.

Colombo-resident Anura picked up two more shots before the turn and followed that up with an eagle and four birdies on the back-nine. Rohana played some excellent approach and wedge shots to land it within five feet on seven occasions.

Mukesh Kumar shot a second straight 65 at his happy hunting ground to join Rohana in tied second place.

Kolkata's Raju Ali Mollah (65) was a further shot back in fourth place at 11-under-131.

Viraj Madappa of Kolkata, the round one leader, slipped to tied 23rd at six-under-136 after a round of 74.

The cut was declared at two-under-140 with 59 players making it to the money rounds.

Pune's Aditya Bhandarkar missed the cut by two shots but made a hole-in-one on the seventh during his round of 73.

The Jamshedpur trio of professional Karan Taunk (four-over-146) and amateurs Navtez Singh (even-par-142) and Kurush Heerjee (five-over-147) missed the cut.

--IANS

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