NOIDA: Daniel Chopra carded a flawless four-under- 68 to maintain his lead on the second day of the Shubhkamna Champions Tournament at the NOIDA Golf Course here today.
Chopra on 12-under-130 leads Shiv Kapur and Gaganjeet Bhullar by two strokes.
Though satisfied with the round the played today, Chopra felt that he could have extended the lead more had he putted the way he did in round one.
“I did not hole the putts that I did yesterday. I played as well as yesterday, but it is just that the putts did not fall. Still it is great to be in contention once again (after Thailand and Johor) and hopefully after finishes in sixth and fourth I can close the year with something better like a win,” Chopra told the reporters after the day’s play here.
“I started off with a birdie, but had nothing after that till the seventh. I was getting frustrated, but I told myself to stay patient. I finally got a 15-footer on 15th and then was two-on and two putted on (par-5) 17th for a birdie,” he added.
The US based golfer who has not won a title for 20 months now has a real good chance of ending the season with a win. Incidentally it is his 39th birthday tomorrow and he said that it will be a good feeling to end his title drought on such a special day. The last time he won a tournament was at the Fresh Express Classic in Stonebrae on the Nationwide Tour in April 2011.
“I have never played ever on my birthday. So it will be nice to do well and maybe win tomorrow,” he said.
Kapur tied with Bhlullar also has a real good chance of winning the inaugural edition of the tournament after he followed up his good first round with a six-under-66.
“I was playing good but then felt very disappointed to finish with a bogey. It was a bad judgement on the second shot and then had a bad chip made me miss the par putt. But then considering everything, I will still take 66,” said Shiv.
“I could have been a couple of shots better. I was creating chances, but then did not hole too many putts. I was seven-under on 13th hole and could have ended with a better score.”
Talking about his chances of winning the tournament, he said, “It was actually a holiday week, but starting two shots behind the leader on the final day has my juices flowing and hopefully I can win it tomorrow.”
The Delhi based golfer who was awarded the rookie-of-the-year in the 2005 has not won a title ever since. The last time he won a title was the season ending Volvo Masters of Asia.
Meanwhile the main attraction of the day was the big 3’s of Indian golf Arjun Atwal (70), Jeev Milkha (71) Singh and Jyoti Randhawa (73) playing together for the first time.
None of these stalwarts look to be in contention but then drew the maximum attention from the crowd.
“Yesterday I was more worried before the start (of the event). Now it is going fine. We (Atwal and Jyoti) enjoyed it. We talked about all that we have been doing, through the year and on various Tours. The three of us have never played together. I have played with Arjun in Asia and I think it was about 12 years ago. Then I played with Jyoti a few years ago in China at the World Cup in Shenzhen,” said Jeev host of the tournament.
The trio, Jeev, Jyoti and Atwal between them have 21 Asian tour titles, seven European Tour wins and five from Japan Tour besides Atwal’s one PGA and one Nationwide title.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News Network