Jay Bayron joins Himmat Rai for lead in ICTSI Philippine Open – Asian Tour
The ICTSI Philippines Open comes to a halfway stage as two rounds have completed today. Second round of the championship ended as there are two players sharing the lead. Overnight leader Himmat Rai was joined by the local hero Jay Bayron.
Both these players have a two-day aggregate score of six-under par, 138. They lead the field by a slight margin of just one stroke.
The 23-year-old Rai from India kept his momentum during the second round also. Although he managed a round of two-under par, 70, he was thoroughly composed with his game. He played some brilliant approach shots as he posted four birdies on his score-card.
His birdies were as a result of excellent golf shots and some impressive putting on the greens.
Rai did not look under any kind of pressure as he started the day being the joint leader. He carved his way and maintained his name on top of the leader board as the second day ended. The 23-year-old also had two blemishes during his round. He was looking
in great shape with his swing, which was in complete momentum.
The 23-year-old Indian now has a great chance as he shares the lead in a star-studded field. This is impressive display of golf by the youngster, who has been in form since his last outing in Malaysia. He still remembers his final round at Impian Classic
of Asian Development Tour, where he carded a disastrous final round.
Now as two rounds have completed, Rai is confident of making it through to the final round and to pick up his maiden victory on Asian Tour. This will be a great victory if he successfully curbs the challenge of his nearest opponents.
As for the local professional Bayron, he played good golf during the second round. Although the conditions were a little on tough side, he caressed his way on top of the leader to join Rai. Bayron carded a moderate round of three-under par, 69 which was
enough for him to emerge as the joint leader.
Bayron knows about the course and took full advantage of his experience. As he started his round, it looked like making a birdie was a bit difficult for him. A break through birdie came on the par-3, 8th. From there on he made a total of four
birdies. The closing par-4, 18th proved out to be a little costly for him as he could have been the lone leader. He made a bogey on his last hole.
Bayron was satisfied with the way he has been playing during the two days. There are high hopes on him to emerge as the champion after the final round on Sunday.
The in-form Berry Henson of USA, Jbe Kruger of South Africa and Daisuke Kataoka of Japan share the third spot. All these players have a 36-hole score of five-under par, 139. They are just one point behind the joint leaders.
Third round of this 72-hole championship will be played tomorrow as some more exciting results are expected.
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