Press Trust of India
Macao, Oct 16: World No. 39 Anirban Lahiri (in pix) put himself in perfect position to successfully defend his Venetian Macao Open title as he was one shot behind the leader at the halfway stage of the event after adding a four-under 67 to his first round 66 to get to nine-under 133. Also at nine-under was Chiragh Kumar (67-66) as four players were tied for second.
Unheralded 23-year-old Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao produced a scintillating seven-under-par 64 to snatch a one-shot half way lead here Friday at the Macau Golf and Country Club with a two-day total of 10-under-par 132.
It was a good day for the Indians as Rahil Gangjee (67-68) and Rashid Khan (67-65) were tied for eighth at seven-under 132. Gaganjeet Bhullar (69-68) and Abhijit Chadha (67-70) were tied 14th and SSP Chawrasia (70-68) was tied 19th.
Lahiri grabbed an eagle, four birdies and gave away two bogeys to stay on track to successfully defend his title. The Indian star was disappointed though to drop a shot at his last hole.
“It leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I hit a good drive and just got stuck in a terrible lie and it was a bad five,” Lahiri said at the end of the day’s play. “I think I played well, pretty similar to yesterday (Thursday). But the couple of times I missed the fairway, I found some difficult lies in the rough.”
Chiragh had three birdies and an eagle and no bogeys while Rashid had five birdies in a bogey free round. Gangjee, who had seven birdies and two double bogeys said, “It was like one step forward and two steps back. I hit two destructive shots and that was it. It cost me a lot. Besides that, I putted pretty good.”
Hung, who finished tied fifth at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters two weeks ago, said playing with no expectation has been the secret to his good run at the Venetian Macao Open.
Australian Scott Hend, winner here in 2013 and runner-up to Lahiri last season stayed in the hunt with a 68 on the day.
