Singapore’s Mardan Mamat grabs a four-shot lead in the second round of inaugural Panasonic Open
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat is now leading the inaugural Panasonic Open leaderboard with his superb second round performance, a 7-under for 65. Mamat has gained a four-shot lead over American, Ben Fox and Indian, Anirban Lahiri, the
overnight leader. Both fox and Lahiri are now tied for the second place with 136 each, at the conclusion of the second round here at Delhi Golf Club.
Mamat was tied for the second place in the first round with two shots behind. He was able to pull four birdies and an eagle at par-five eighth in his opening front nine, and his worst shot for the day probably was his bad iron shot
at the 10th.
“I had a really good start and that kept up my confidence. Overall I’m very pleased with the way I’ve putted over the last two days,” said Mardan, “As long as you don’t make too many silly mistakes on this golf course, it will be
okay. I’m just going to relax and sharpen my putting. I hope to maintain my momentum for the next two days,”
The two-time Asian Tour winner, Mamat, is without a win on the tour for the last five years and is battling to be on top again. The 43-year-old sounded more determined this time around and is looking good to run all the way to the
top.
First round leader, Lahiri, did not have an equally promising day like the previous one and he expressed his dismay over the howling winds which rendered most of his shots wayward. The 23-year-old carded three birdies along with bogeys
to return with a 71. The young Indian golfer, however, warned not to cast him off as he will bounce back again in the next rounds.
Fox narrowly kept his qualification to participate in the Asian Tour, finishing 61st on the Order of Merit in the Asian Tour last season and hopes to bring an end to such drastic situations again. He is visiting India with
his girlfriend and apart from all the sightseeing, Fox, knows that he needs to concentrate on his sport.
India’s Himmat Rai, who had an opening round of 70, managed to end the day with a 67 in the second round for fourth place with Manav Jaini settling at fifth with one behind for 138. The inaugural Panasonic Open, co-sanctioned by the
Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), will move to its third round on Friday, at the Delhi Golf Club, Delhi.
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