April 5th 2013, New Delhi, India: Australia’s Wade Ormsby cranked up the pressure on the chasing pack when he posted another five-under-par 67 to extend his advantage to two after the second round of the US$300,000 Panasonic Open India on Friday.
Ormsby’s two-day total of 10-under-par 134 meant that Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, who had earlier taken the morning lead, slipped to second place after he carded a 69 at the Delhi Golf Club.
India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia continued to stay in touch with the leaders after he matched his opening day efforts of a 69 to take third place alongside Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit, who could become the oldest winner on the Asian Tour if he wins.
Known for his love for fast cars and motorsports, the 33-year-old Australian showed the same insatiable appetite for speed when he got off the blocks quickly with two birdies in his opening three holes.
He birdied the eighth hole but dropped his only shot of the round on the par-four nine before reaching the turn in 34.
Ormsby then made three more birdies on holes 13, 16 and 18 to put himself in a good position for his maiden breakthrough on the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its 10th season this year.
“Yes, I love motorsports and racing. But that just sucks up your money while golf gives you that, so I’ll stay with golf anytime,” laughed Ormsby.
“There were lots of cross winds and it was tricky to try and keep them in the fairways. I just have to keep doing what I’ve been doing. My short game was fantastic today and hopefully that continues,” added the Australian.
Meanwhile Lam knows he has to stay focused to grind out a victory despite competing on numerous occasions at the Delhi Golf Club.
“You can know the course very well but you still have to perform,” said Lam.
“I’m very happy to be where I’m. It certainly wasn’t easy out there today I felt I played solid. It was a disappointing finish but three-under for today is a very good score,” added the Singaporean.
Starting on the back-nine 10th, the 36-year-old Singaporean looked set to be cruising home but stumbled home with two bogeys on his closing eighth and ninth holes.
“I kind of misjudged my second shot on the eighth hole. I was in the rough and I misjudged the wind which just took it left and I couldn’t get it up and down,” said Lam.
“Ninth hole was just a really tough pin. I was two yards out from getting into a really good position but ended up in the bunker. I had a really tough time trying to get it up and down again,” lamented Lam.
Chowrasia kept up his chase for his third Asian Tour win after carding another 69 under swirling wind conditions.
The Indian did not start off convincingly as he bogeyed his par-three 12th, but he responded with birdies on holes 14 and 15.
After turning in 32, Chowrasia parred the next four holes before making further birdies on holes five and eight.
“I played fairly well and two successive three-under rounds is alright in these conditions as they are more difficult than normal,” said the 34-year-old.
“I was also happy with a couple of good par saves on sixth and ninth. That kind of a save also gives you confidence. It was quite windy and with the directions and speed changing, it became very challenging and tough at times,” added Chowrasia.
The weekend cut was set at five-over par with 68 players making the cut.
The top-three players at the Panasonic Open India will be extended invitations to the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation, in Osaka, Japan in September.
