Chan, Joshi grab one-shot lead
Source: Agencies |
March 8, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ASIAN Tour qualifying school winner Chan Kim birdied his last four holes to share the halfway lead with Indian rookie Khalin Joshi at the SAIL-SBI Open in New Delhi yesterday.
The Korean-American, in his rookie year on the Tour, was at level-par until the 14th hole but surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 4-under-par 68 for a 9-under 135 total.
Joshi, 20, also continued to shine in his maiden Asian Tour event as a professional, carding a 3-under 69 to stay one shot ahead of compatriot Rashid Khan and Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman in the US$300,000 event at the Delhi Golf Club.
"I finished with four straight birdies, definitely wasn't expecting it," Kim said after his grand finish.
"When I made the first two birdies on 15 and 16, I thought to myself 'I'm seven under and I was two back'. If I could make one or two birdies coming in, I would be right in there.
"I did feel some nerves in the last two holes but I controlled it well enough and stayed focused."
Joshi, India's top-ranked amateur, reached the turn in 36 but a brilliant chip-in for an eagle on the 14th hole made his day.
"It's great. I hit the ball good although my putting wasn't great," Joshi said. "Honestly, I felt normal. I didn't feel any pressure.
"I just wanted to go out there and do the best that I could. I'm looking forward to the next two days. It's a good position to be in. I'm not looking at the score board as it'll put pressure on me. I just want to go out to play."
Siddikur repeated his first-round 68 to be tied third with Khan who blazed round the course in 8-under 64. Another Indian, Rahil Gangjee, fired two eagles in his round of 66 to be a shot behind in fifth.
The cut was set at 146.
The Korean-American, in his rookie year on the Tour, was at level-par until the 14th hole but surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 4-under-par 68 for a 9-under 135 total.
Joshi, 20, also continued to shine in his maiden Asian Tour event as a professional, carding a 3-under 69 to stay one shot ahead of compatriot Rashid Khan and Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman in the US$300,000 event at the Delhi Golf Club.
"I finished with four straight birdies, definitely wasn't expecting it," Kim said after his grand finish.
"When I made the first two birdies on 15 and 16, I thought to myself 'I'm seven under and I was two back'. If I could make one or two birdies coming in, I would be right in there.
"I did feel some nerves in the last two holes but I controlled it well enough and stayed focused."
Joshi, India's top-ranked amateur, reached the turn in 36 but a brilliant chip-in for an eagle on the 14th hole made his day.
"It's great. I hit the ball good although my putting wasn't great," Joshi said. "Honestly, I felt normal. I didn't feel any pressure.
"I just wanted to go out there and do the best that I could. I'm looking forward to the next two days. It's a good position to be in. I'm not looking at the score board as it'll put pressure on me. I just want to go out to play."
Siddikur repeated his first-round 68 to be tied third with Khan who blazed round the course in 8-under 64. Another Indian, Rahil Gangjee, fired two eagles in his round of 66 to be a shot behind in fifth.
The cut was set at 146.
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