Chandigarh golfer Akshay Sharma had the day’s best card share the 36-hole lead in the DP World Players Championship at the Classic course on Wednesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Akshay Sharma of Chandigarh and Gurgaon’s Dhruv Sheoran led after round two of the Rs 1 crore DP World Players Championship at the Classic Golf & Country Club near Manesar on Wednesday.
Sharma (70-65), a two-time DP World PGTI winner, produced the day’s best round — a 7 under par 65 — that included nine birdies and two bogeys, with a closing birdie sealing his move to the top fro T14 overnight.
Sheoran (69-66), a winner on the tour in 2024, returned a 6 under 66 that included an eagle on the par-5 14th along with six birdies and two bogeys, the DP World PGTI said.
Japan’s Taiga Tanaka (68-68), Sunit Chowrasia (70-66) of Kolkata and Nepal’s Sukra Bahadur Rai (70-66) shared third place on 8 under 136, one shot off the lead.
Chowrasia and Rai surged up the leaderboard, while Tanaka added a steady second consecutive 68.
Overnight co-leaders Harman Sachdeva (67-70) and Jamal Hossain (67-70) slipped into a seven-way tie for sixth at 7 under 137.
They were joined by Karnal’s Mani Ram (69-68) and Rohit Narwal (68-69), Asian Tour winners Himmat Singh Rai of Delhi (70-67) and Viraj Madappa of Kolkata (71-66), and Bangalore’s Manoj S. (70-67), who was recently the best-placed Indian at the Indian Open.
Quality round
Sharma, 35, credited his sharp ball-striking and putting for his rise up the leaderboard. “I was spot on today — my ball-striking was good and I putted really well, so it was an excellent round,” he said.
A stretch around the turn proved decisive.
“I built momentum with a birdie on nine, chipped in on 10 and then made a long putt on 11. After that, I was able to keep it going with a few more birdies,” he added.
Gurgaon’s Dhruv Sheoran was the day two co-leader with a solid run on Wednesday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
Sheoran’s highlight came on the 14th, where he produced a near-perfect approach to set up an eagle.
“I hit a good drive of around 330 yards and had about 218 yards left. Went with the longer club to stay safe and it came out perfectly, finishing about three feet from the hole,” the 31-year-old said.
“I started well in the calmer morning conditions, struck the ball cleanly and took advantage of the par-5s,” he added.
“Yesterday was tougher in the wind, but the experience of playing here at Classic helped. I’m just focusing on doing the right things and letting the results follow.”
The cut fell at level par 144, with 50 from the starting field of 132 advancing to the final two rounds.
Also read: Rookie Sachdeva, Hossain share day one lead at Classic event
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