Disappointed with my finish; SSP was terrific

The Gary Player course has a challenge at every corner and every hole. Not even for a moment can you take your mind off it. If it was the wind and greens yesterday (Thursday), it was tough pins on the second day.

And then there was the weather stoppage for the second day in succession.I was going fine with the stoppage and I was one-over after 15 holes in the second round. Earlier I finished my first round at even par, which was great.

I am not sure whether my momentum was halted by the stoppage, but whatever it was, I dropped a bogey on 16th and a double on 18th. Suddenly from one-over I ended at four-over. That will make the cut, but I think I had played well for most part and expected to come in with a much better score.

In the stoppage I had a chance to grab a bit with SSP Chawrasia. What a round he played. Bogey free, only the second such round this week, after David Horsey’s 66 in the first round. SSP’s 67 puts him in sole lead and the defending champion is looking solid.

His play was terrific and as he said he just ensured he was in play. He found a lot of fairways, reached a lot of greens and holed some seriously long putts, including 30 and 40 footers. His short game, a trademark of his, worked well and he fully deserved the score he got on the day.

Sure, this course does not allow even one easy moment or lapse, but SSP seems to be in a zone. I am sure the Indian golf fans and SSP fans will be loving this. After coming second so many times, he won last year and now at the halfway stage he is in sole lead. This is indeed great for our golf and it could not be happening to a nicer person.Even though I am playing, I will be rooting for him again.