Kolar, Karnataka [India], August 20: Shaurya Bhattacharya continued his strong performance at the Kolar Open by shooting a five-under-par 67 on day two. This gave him a three-stroke lead at nine-under-par 135, solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard.
The 23-year-old golfer from Delhi started the day with a one-shot advantage. He made six birdies and one bogey, showcasing his skillful play. Despite a slow start, where he was one-over through seven holes, Bhattacharya remained confident in his ability to hit precise shots.
His breakthrough came on the 17th hole, where a well-hit drive led to five consecutive birdies, including on the 18th and first few holes, giving him control of the tournament.
Hyderabad’s Mohd Azhar, who began the day tied for fifth, moved up to second place with a score of six-under-par 138. Other notable players included Arjun Sharma, Angad Cheema, and Badal Hossain, all sharing third place at three-under-par 141.
The wind picked up during the second round, adding difficulty to the course. Bhattacharya noted his ability to adjust to changing conditions was key to his success.
After finishing as runner-up in the inaugural edition last year, Bhattacharya is well-positioned heading into the final two rounds, expressing confidence in his game and the course.
Meanwhile, Saptak Talwar, currently leading the DP World PGTI Rankings, dropped to ninth place with a score of one-under-par 143. Shubham Jaglan also struggled, slipping four places after a one-over-par 73.
The tournament’s second round saw only 12 players finish at even par or better, highlighting the course’s challenge. The cut was set at eight-over-par 152, with 51 players advancing to the final rounds.