Jammu: Delhi’s Kapil Kumar shot the day’s joint lowest score of four-under 68 in round two of the J&K Open 2023 presented by J&K Tourism to surge ahead by two shots as his total moved to seven-under 137 at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course (JTGC).
Chandigarh’s Akshay Sharma, the overnight joint leader, slipped to second place at five-under 139 following his 71 on Thursday.
Delhi’s Harshjeet Singh Sethie (71) was placed third at four-under 140 while TATA Steel PGTI Ranking leader Om Prakash Chouhan (70) of Mhow was a further shot back in fourth position.
The halfway cut was declared at six-over 150. Fifty professionals made the cut. All the players from J&K missed the cut.
Kapil Kumar, who recently recovered from an illness that kept him away from golf for about a month, was in prime form with his driver and irons on day two. Kapil, lying overnight tied third and one off the lead, began his move up the leaderboard with a birdie on the eighth followed by birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th as he landed his approach shots within 10 feet on all occasions.
Kapil said, “My driving was solid as I hit it long and straight. I was feeling confident about my driving from the start of the day. I made a really good par save on the seventh from the bunker. After my illness in August, I’m now slowly getting back to full fitness. My swing was a little restricted last week in Hyderabad but this week my physical condition is much better and therefore I’m swinging it well.”
Karan Pratap Singh, the round one joint leader, shot a 76 to drop to tied eighth at even-par 144.
The new tournament trophy was unveiled at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course on Thursday by Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Secretary, Tourism, J&K. The trophy depicts the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest rail bridge, located in the Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir.
