Ranjit, Thangaraja are joint leaders at halfway stage

Noida: Chandigarh’s Ranjit Singh and Sri Lankan N Thangaraja share the lead at four-under-140 after round two of the PGTI Players Championship at Noida Golf Course. Ranjit fired a one-under-71 on Thursday while Thangaraja shot an even-par-72.

The cut was declared at seven-over-151. Fifty-one professionals made the cut.

Ranjit Singh (69-71) made three birdies against two bogeys in round two to climb from overnight tied second to joint first. Ranjit landed his tee shot within four feet for his opening birdie of the day on the par-3 third. The 38-year-old then produced a brilliant second shot from 50 yards out on the seventh that stopped one foot from the flag and led to another birdie. Ranjit’s final birdie of the day came on the 13th where he converted a 10-footer. He also dropped bogeys on the 11th and 18th.

“I landed it close today and did well to negotiate the tough conditions. It was difficult to judge the direction of the wind since it was swirling. I’m quite satisfied with my effort of 71 in the prevailing conditions. I’ll look to repeat this performance in the next two rounds. The only disappointment was the bogey on the closing 18th that came as a result of poor club-selection,” said Ranjit, who is looking to win his maiden professional title.

Thangaraja (68-72), the overnight leader, had a poor start to the day as he bogeyed the 10th and 12th. He then rallied with birdies on the first, third and fourth. The 32-year-old sank a 15-footer on the third and landed his approach within three feet of the pin on the fourth. Thangaraja dropped another stroke on the closing ninth to end up with a steady 72 on Thursday.

“My driving was poor for the second straight day. However, I managed to stay in contention with some consistent golf,” said Thangaraja.

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh is in third position with a total of three-under-141 while Delhi’s Rashid Khan is a further stroke behind in fourth place.