Shubhankar’s scintillating 63 gives him a joint lead in the Tata Steel Tour Championship

Shubhankar Sharma and Udayan Mane jointly topped the second round of the Tata Steel Tour Championship here on Saturday.

Udayan, on the other hand, fought for 67 runs to increase his chances of winning the Order of Merit title at Beldih and Golmuri Golf Courses. Shubhankar (67-71-63) and Udayan (68-66-67), currently ranked third in the PGTI rankings, posted a total of 15-under 201 two shots ahead of the pack chasing other contenders including defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar. Kept. 67-67-69), SSP Chaurasia (63-69-71), Jamshedpur three-time winner and Veer Ahlawat (68-67-68), who is currently ranked eighth in the PGTI merit list and also a shot Is the crown of the Order of Merit.

Shubhankar chased down his sedatet of 71 in round two with a red-hot 63 to make a strong comeback in the tournament as he climbed seven places from his overnight eighth place.

The 25-year-old, a two-time winner on the European Tour, fired two eagles, six birdies and a bogey during his outstanding effort, which matched the lowest round scored by Chaurasia on the opening day of the tournament. Sharma, who was the winner in his previous appearance at Jamshedpur in 2016, began his round with a birdie-eagle on the first two holes with 12ft and 25ft conversions respectively.

Shubhankar then lowered it to within a foot for a birdie on the sixth and his second eagle of the day on the ninth. He also hit three other birdies during his extraordinary front-nine at Golmuri.

After the turn, Sharma’s round slowed down as he could only pick up a birdie and bogey at the back-nine at Beldih Golf Course.

Shubhankar said, “I am really happy because I have shot my best score in nine holes. However, the back-nine was a bit wet as I didn’t take any lead there. But it is great to shoot especially at 63 Moving day.

“The birdie-eagle start paced my round which I made through the front-nine. I started well at Beldih as well, but missed an easy up and down on the 12th that took the wind out of my sails a bit Gave. “

Olympian Udayan, who finished third overnight and took two leads off, also started the day well, as he birdied first from 10 feet and then well with a chip-put birdie on fourth from the bunker wall Recovered, then scored 30 runs. Footer to birdie on the fifth.

Udayan dropped a shot on the eighth but soon regained control with a birdie on the ninth. Udayan then made two-unders at Beldih at the back-nine and 12 to a 25-foot Eagle conversion and a birdie and bogey each. Mane, currently ranked third in the PGTI Order of Merit, now has a chance to win the title of Order of Merit if it wins Jamshedpur.

Bhullar’s 69 had one eagle, five birdies and four bogies, while SSP Chaurasia’s 71 included five birdies and four bogies. Ahlawat hit one eagle, five birdies and three bogeys during his 68. Ahlawat also has a chance to win the Order of Merit title if he wins this week’s competition. He is currently at the eighth position in the merit list.

Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa, who is currently ranked second in the PGTI Order of Merit, scored an impressive 65 and jumped 27 places to move up to 20th at six-under 210. With a potential top-5 in Jamshedpur, Chikka also stands a chance to fulfill the order. of merit title. Indian golf legend Jyoti Randhawa (70) ended the day at an under 215 in 46th position.

(with inputs from PTI)