Kolkata: The reigning National All India champion, S Chikkarangappa of Bangalore moved into the quarter-finals with a convincing 5&4 win over Rakesh Kumar of Delhi, but young Ashbeer Saini of Kapurthala was knocked out by the seasoned Simarjeet Singh of Oil India in the second round of the Goodricke Eastern India Matchplay championships on Thursday.
Chikka, who performed modestly in the strokeplay segment on the first two days, looks like returning to the kind of form that had made him one of the leading youngsters in the country. He outplayed Rakesh to set up a quarter-final clash with another experienced player, Gagan Verma of Indian Oil. Verma beat young Bangalorean Trishul Chinappa on the 19th hole in a tense battle.
Simarjeet, who plays at the NOIDA Golf Club and is a former Sri Lankan Amateur Open winner and an experienced golfer, beat Ashbeer 2-up after coming to the 18th tee with a one-hole lead. He will now meet Angad Cheema of Shivalik Golf Course. Cheema moved past Vikram Rana of ONGC.
Delhi’s promising Honey Baisoya, who is also with Oil India, beat Imran Ali Mollah, who hails from a family of golfers. Baisoya on this day was very good and made few mistakes as he romped home a winner 5&4. Seasoned Manav Das, also from OIL beat Kader Ali of RCGC 3&1 and Khalin Joshi beat Jasjeet Singh 1-up.
The quarters will be played on Friday, followed by semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Christmas Day.
Results: Second round:
Simarjeet Singh beat Ashbeer Singh Saini 2 up; Angad Cheema beat Vikram Rana 3 & 1; S.Chikkarangappa beat Rakesh Kumar 5 & 3; Gagan Verma beat Trishul Chinnappa 19th hole; Honey Baisoya beat Imran Ali Mollah 5 & 4; Manav Das beat Kader Ali 3 & 1; SK Pappu beat SK Pappu II 1 up; Khalin Joshi beat Jasjeet Singh 1 up.
Line-up for Friday December 24:
Simarjeet vs Angad Cheema - 8.00 am; S.Chikkarangappa vs Gagan Verma 8.07 am; Honey Baisoya vs Manav Das 8.14 am; SK Pappu vs Khalin Joshi 8.21 am
