CG Open 2011 round two

Rashid Khan’s whirlwind 62 places him in the joint lead along with Md Zamal Hossain Mollah,Rashid equals course record with seven consecutive birdies

Mumbai, December 8, 2011: Delhi’s Rashid Khan fired a whirlwind eight under 62 in round two of the CG Open 2011 that put him in the joint lead along with Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh at 11 under 129 at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC). Rashid thus equaled the course record set by S Chikkarangappa at an amateur event earlier this year. Zamal, the overnight joint leader, maintained his position on the leaderboard thanks to a four under 66 on Thursday. Gaganjeet Bhullar is in third place as he trails the joint leaders by two strokes.

The cut was declared at two over 142. Fifty-five professionals made the cut.

Rashid Khan (67-62) hogged the limelight in round two thanks to his startling bogey-free 62 that helped him equal the course record. Rashid, who has all but sealed the Aircel Emerging Player of the Year title given to the best Rookie golfer of the year, climbed from overnight tied 15^th to joint first thanks to his superb second round effort.

The 20-year-olf from the Delhi Golf Club earned his first birdie of the day with a fantastic tee shot on the par-3 13^th hole where his ball landed two feet short of the hole. Khan then came up with an astounding run of seven birdies in a row from the 16^th to the fourth hole (16^th, 17^th, 18^th, first, second, third & fourth). Rashid, a winner on the Aircel PGTI this year, missed a hole-in-one by six inches on the 17^th and went four feet past the hole with his tee shot on the second. The wiry golfer also made a couple of good chip-putts for birdies on the 18^th and first holes.

Rashid said, “The best part of my game today was my hitting. My tee shots on the par-3 holes couldn’t have been better as I came close to making a hole-in-one on as many as three occasions. I haven’t hit too many fairways over the last two days but whenever I have missed them I have just been a little off the mark and that hasn’t affected my scoring. My putting has improved over the last few events and that has made a huge difference to my game.

“Tee shots are very important on the back nine at this course due to the layout of the holes. I managed to hit my tee shots to perfection on the back nine and therefore earned the reward for it. Equaling the course record with this round has given me loads of confidence for the rest of the tournament.”

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (63-66) continued to be the joint leader after he followed up his first round 63 with a solid 66 in round two. Zamal, who began from the 10^th, hit his chip to within a few inches for birdie on the 16^th and then chipped-in for eagle on the 18^th. His birdies on the fifth and seventh came as a result of some fabulous approach shots. Mollah’s lone bogey of the day came on the sixth.

“My wedge shots and chipping were outstanding in round two. I kept the intensity going today and am pleased about being the joint leader at this stage. It’s now important for me to putt well on the last two days in order to stay in contention,” said Zamal.

Gaganjeet Bhullar (66-65) made six birdies against a lone bogey in his round of 65 that placed him third at nine under 131.

Jyoti Randhawa (67-65) and Vikrant Chopra (65-67) share fourth place at eight under 132. Rahil Gangjee is a further stroke back in sixth position.

Defending champion Mandeo Singh Pathania is in tied 10^th place at five under 135 while Rolex Rankings leader Chiragh Kumar is placed tied 16^th at four under 136.Reported by Richa.