Chan Shih-chang after holing an ace. Pic: Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour; Chikkarangappa and Aman Raj – File pics
Kanchanaburi, Thailand, Feb 25: India’s S Chikkarangappa blazed through the Grand Prix Golf Club with a bogey free 67 on the second day to get to 10-under at the halfway stage of the Royal’s Cup on the Asian Tour. Chikka, who has two Asian Development Tour titles, is still in search of his maiden Asian Tour success.
One shot behind him at 9-under was Aman Raj, who followed up his first round 68 with a second round 67 and was Tied-sixth.
Chikka birdied first, fifth and sixth on front nine and added more gains on 14th and 17th. Aman Raj birdied second and fourth and had an eagle two on Par-4 sixth. However he gave away a double bogey on eighth and turned in 2-under. On the back nine he had four birdies against one bogey for a total of 67 and he is four behind leaded Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei, who shot 66.
Apart from Chikka and Aman Raj, the other Indians to make the cut were Rahil Gangjee (67-73), who at 4-under was T-36, Rashid Khan (72-69) and Viraj Madappa (69-72) at 3-under were T-45th.
Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei who led overnight on eight under started poorly but finished with an amazing hole in one on 16th and an eagle on 18th for a 7-under 29 on the back nine. He was one-over for front nine. Chan was two over after three holes. Once he birdied the Par-4 eighth, fortunes changed for him. On the back he birdied 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th and then aced the 16th and eagled the 18th.
Shiv Kapur (72-70) missed the cut by one shot while others missing the weekend were Honey Baisoya (73-71), Veer Ahlawat (74-70), Ajeetesh Sandhu (73-72), Khalin Joshi (74-73), SSP Chawrasia (74-73) and Aadil Bedi (75-73).
Sadom Kaewkanjana, winner of the SMBC Singapore Open last month, carded a five-under-par 67 to reach 11 under. Three shots behind are Thailand’s Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (65), Tanapat Pichaikool (66) and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (68), Korean Sungyeol Kwon (66), and South African Mathiam Keyser (68).
Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Korean Joohyung Kim carded a 72 and is five under and T-27.
Read also:
Gangjee, Chikka card 67 each for a fine start at Royal’s Cup on Asian Tour
Kapur returns to Thailand with fond memories; 11 Indians in Royal’s Cup
