SCORESHEET
DAY 2
DAY 1

October 22nd 2010, Panchkula: Lucknow’s Vijay Kumar will head into the final round of the Haryana Open 2010 presented by Unitech, Ireo, HUDA and PGC with a six-shot lead. Vijay fired an even par 72 to take his total to 13 under 203 on a day that witnessed only one under par score as a result of the strong winds. Mukesh Kumar of Mhow lies second at seven under 209 as he too shot a 72.

Vijay Kumar (65-66-72) closed in on his maiden title on the Aircel PGTI even as gusty winds that swept across the Panchkula Golf Club, made life difficult for the professionals. The former Indian Open champion brought all his experience to the fore by adjusting his hitting and putting according to the windy conditions.

Even though Vijay began with a bogey on the first, he more than made up for that with birdies on the third, sixth, 11th and 14th. He hit some great approach shots to set up birdie putts within six feet on the third, sixth and 14th. On the par-four 11th, the veteran drove the green and two-putted from 15 feet for birdie.

Vijay then stumbled with a double bogey on the par-five 15th where he hit the green in four shots and then three-putted from 10 feet. The Lucknow golfer managed to pull one stroke back with a birdie on the 16th but a poor tee shot led to a bogey on the very next hole. Vijay found the fairway bunker on the 18th and as a result dropped another bogey to close the day with a round of 72.

Vijay said, “The conditions were very tough out there and considering that I think I shot a good score. I was three under till the 14th but some careless shots from there on brought my score back to level par for the day. If the conditions remain the same on the final day then lot of planning will be required for every hole as the wind also affects the putting.

“A six-stroke lead is always very difficult to overcome, so I think if the conditions remain the same on the final day, I might be able to win even if I shoot a one over or two over par. If there is no wind tomorrow, then a one under or two under par would get me home.”

Mukesh Kumar’s (70-67-72) round of 72 included five birdies and five bogeys. He is currently second as he trails the leader by six strokes at seven under 209.

Anura Rohana (66-70-74) of Sri Lanka is third at six under 210.

Shankar Das’ two under 70 was the only under par score of the day and thus placed him in tied fourth at five under 211 along with C Muniyappa and Ashok Kumar.

Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh and Jalandhar’s Balwinder Singh Mattu are tied ninth at even par 216.