Manu Gandas builds five-shot lead at halfway point of Golconda Masters

Manu Gandas builds five-shot lead at halfway point of Golconda Masters

Manu Gandas glowed on day two after shooting a stunning 10-under 58 in round two of the Golconda Masters Telangana Open to build a massive five-shot lead at 17-under 122 on Friday.

The round one joint leader Manu Gandas made twelve birdies against just two bogeys to maintain an enormous lead at the halfway stage of the PGTI’s season resumption event.

Noida’s Amardeep Malik was in second place at a total of 12-under 127, following his second round of seven-under 61.

Kartik Sharma, who was playing his first event at the HGA since turning professional, produced an enthralling error-free nine-under 59 to be placed tied-third at a total of 10-under 129, along with Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, who shot a six-under 62 on Friday.

The heavy overnight rain resulted in waterlogging on a couple of fairways at the HGA. As a result, Hole No. 6 was reduced from a Par-5 to a Par-3, and Hole No. 18 was reduced from a Par-4 to a Par-4. Therefore, the par for the course in round two was 68 instead of the regular 71.

Bengaluru-based Chikkarangappa, the 2019 champion, was tied fifth at nine-under 130, along with Mysuru’s Yashas Chandra.

PGTI Order of Merit leader Karandeep Kochhar of Chandigarh was in seventh place at eight-under 131.

The cut was declared at even-par 139. Fifty professionals and two amateurs made the cut.

Defending champion Udayan Mane also missed the cut as he tallied three-over 142 for two rounds to be placed tied 68th.