Anirban Lahiri roars ahead at PGTI Players’ championship

Overnight leader Anirban Lahiri (65-65) consolidated his lead and left all others in the dust after firing seven-under 65 for the second day in a row at the PGTI Players’ championship on Wednesday at the Aamby Valley golf course.

The Bangalore lad got off to a slow start after having made a birdie-bogey on the 12th and 13th but sank a tough 50 feet downhill putt from the left edge to collect a birdie on the 15th.
It was uphill from then on as he followed this up with an eagle on the 16th and birdies on the 17th and 18th.

Trailing seven strokes behind leader Lahiri and tied second are Shamim Khan (71-66) of Delhi and Rafick Ali Mollah (66-77) of Kolkata at seven-under 137.

At the end of the day’s play, Lahiri said: “I did not have a great start considering the fact that I didn’t capitalise on the first two par five holes, the 12th and 14th.

“However, the 50 feet birdie putt on the 15th got my confidence going. I made some long birdie putts on the 17th, 18th and the third to consolidate further.”

Fifty-two professionals and one amateur made the cut that was declared at four-over 148. Mohammad Siddikur Rahman and Abhishek Jha of Bangalore are tied fourth at six under 138.