Sharma, Gandas share Trident Open lead as play suspended

Local favourite Akshay Sharma shot a steady two-under 70 to join Manu Gandas in the clubhouse lead on day two of the inaugural Trident Open at Chandigarh Golf Club.

Akshay (69-70) moved to five-under 139 after 36 holes, matching Manu’s total (66-73). The second round, however, could not be completed on Wednesday, with play suspended due to fading light at 5:40 pm. Seven players from the 123-man field will return at 6:50 am on Thursday to finish their rounds.

Bangladesh’s Md Somrat Sikdar, one of those still on the course, was six-under for the tournament through 16 holes and will have a chance to take the halfway lead when play resumes.

Former India No. 1 junior Shubham Jaglan, making his PGTI debut after a season playing in the United States, was tied third in the clubhouse at four-under 140 alongside Bangladesh’s Badal Hossain, Mohd Azhar, Shamim Khan, Shaurya Bhattacharya and Manoj S. PGTI Ranking leader and local lad Yuvraj Sandhu bounced back with a three-under 69 to reach three-under 141.

Akshay, a three-time winner on Tour and still seeking his first victory at his home course, relied on accurate iron play and tap-in birdies early in the round. He said he was pleased with his two-under given the fast greens, tricky pins and slightly cold conditions, and felt that around twelve-under could be the winning number.

As things stand, the cut is likely to fall at four-over 148 when round two is completed on Thursday morning.

Photo – Akshay Sharma/PGTI