Tamsui, Chinese Taipei, 04-10-2019
Ajeetesh Sandhu shoots second round of three-under-69 to move into one-shot lead at Mercuries Taiwan Masters
Chikkarangappa in tied sixth
India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu made his move up the leaderboard by signing for a second round three-under-par 69 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend rounds at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Friday.
Sandhu, who started his round one shot off the pace, mixed his card with five birdies and two bogeys to post a two-day total of seven-under-par 137 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
That gave him a slim advantage over Argentina’s Miguel Carballo, who made his return to the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in the most convincing way by firing a 66 to take clubhouse lead earlier in the morning.
Ajeetesh, a winner on the Asian Tour in 2017, said, "I’m absolutely pleased with how I’ve played the last two days and now taking a one-shot lead into the weekend. It’s always nice to be leading a tournament but there’s still a long way to go.
"I played pretty solid for the first two rounds and just want to continue the same and see where that will take me to. I didn't play too well on the par-fives and I’m disappointed with that. But overall, it was still solid as I hit most of the fairways and greens. I missed a few of them but that’s to be expected in golf.
"Obviously, this is a country where I’ve won before and that feeling definitely adds to the positive vibes I have this week."
India’s S. Chikkarangappa, who missed two consecutive cuts in his last two events, found relief as he also progressed into the weekend rounds after posting a 71 to take a share of sixth place at three-under-141.
Chikka said, "It’s always good when you shoot an under-par score on this golf course any day. I had several birdie opportunities today but just didn’t convert them. It feels good to be playing in the weekend again. Especially having missed the cut right at the number in my last two events. Golf is a patient game and I just have to do that and hopefully my time will come."
Rashid Khan and Chiragh Kumar were in tied 17th at one-under-143.
Viraj Madappa and Khalin Joshi were a further shot back in tied 29th.
Source: Asian Tour
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