Shubham Jaglan and Milind Soni, who had faced different problems before the start of the 12th Asia Pacific Amateur Golf Championship, were the best-performing Indians in the half-stage of the event.
Jaglan, who is at the University of South Florida, flew around the world from the United States and then spent a good part of Tuesday waiting for his COVID test. By the time it arrived, it was getting dark leaving him only a few range drills and a hole in the game on practice day. On the other hand, Soni, who was traveling outside India for the first time, was not sure whether he would even be able to get up after a bout of food poisoning on Tuesday evening.
Jaglan (70-68) is ranked T-15th and Soni (71-69) T-22nd from T-24 a day earlier. Apart from him, Akshay Neranjan (74-69) made it to T-42nd position.
Rohan Dhole Patil (72-73) bogeyed in the 18th position and went out of the cutline one by one. He was tie-51st and only top-50 and tied for a place. Arkesh Bhatia (74-72) was ranked T-55th, while Aryan Roop Anand (75-73) and Arjun Gupta (75-73) were in T-58th.
Jaglan was four shots behind new leader Bo Jin of China, who had the best card of the day at 7-under. Bo Jin (70-64) is 8-under and wants to emulate his brother, Cheng Jin, who won the AAC title in 2015. While his brother Cheng was a logical inspiration, Bo also benefited from advice from Rehan of India. Thomas, the record holder at the Dubai Creek Course. Thomas, the 2018 AAC runner-up, is Bo’s associate at the University of Oklahoma. Thomas holds a course record of 61, including the world record for running nine birdies in a pro event.
Five players, including world number one amateur Keita Nakajima (67-68), one of the seven leaders overnight, finished second one shot behind. The others are Korea’s Kim Baekjun, Sam Choi and Cho Wooyoung and Australian Conor McKinney. Two-time champion Yuxin Lin (67–71) double bogeyed the final and lost to T-15. NS
Comfortable with Jaglan Curriculum
Jaglan, a freshman from the University of South Florida, made five birdies against two bogeys. He said, ‘The round was very good. I had to play tomorrow (1st round) so I got used to the tee shot and the wind was down and rough is not a punishment. I also felt that my pour was better than yesterday. The greens were a little faster today, which I liked, as most college events are played on fast greens. So I felt more comfortable.”
“But I made bad shots on the first and ninth, which were my bogeys for the day. But I came back with a birdie at number two and a birdie at number three. Then 8th, 11th and 17th place and birdie. Overall after that it was just solid golf and he made no mistakes and made some good birdies.
“I am really enjoying my experience here so far. The jet lag is going away and I feel much healthier too,” he said.
16-year-old Soni from Hyderabad, making his India debut, acquitted himself well with a score of 71 in the first round and a 2-under 69 in the second to reach T-22nd place.
Soni said, “Feeling weak because I was unwell earlier, I lost a few yards from the tee. My first goal on the first day was to complete 18 holes and I got a par round. Today, I play better than 2-under Could have been, should have been three or four unders. I missed a few puts. I am feeling very tired but much better than the day before.”
Akshay Neranjan, who put himself in danger after a card of 74 on day one, was the third Indian in the 60s to shoot 2-under 69 with five birdies, four on the back nine, three against bogey Were.
Inspired by former champion brother and Indian colleague, Bo scored 64
Leader Bo Jin said, “I’ve learned a lot from Cheng (his brother), but when we go to the golf course, I definitely want to beat him. When he won the championship, I was so excited because it’s a good thing.” Which meant I could go to the Masters with him at Augusta National Golf Club. I get a great deal of insight into life and golf from him,” said Bo Jin, who made five birdies on the last nine.
“And Rehan is a great person, and I have a very good friend. We sat down before I came here and he gave me great advice, like how the greens get grainy and how to plant them. And how to shorten the course.” And why should I be practicing my wedges more than my long barbell. It definitely played a part in my round today.”
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