Lahiri stamps his authority in fine style

The Bangalore golfer, who had shot a 68 in round one as well, is now two shots clear of the rest of the field at eight-under 136 at the DLF Golf & Country Club.
Jyoti Randhawa, the overnight leader, fired a 71 to end the day in second position at six-under 138.

Lahiri (68, 68), the 2009 Order of Merit champion, climbed from overnight second to the top of the leaderboard, courtesy an eagle and four birdies besides two bogeys. Lahiri, a 10th tee starter, dropped a bogey on the 13th before producing some immaculate approach shots to set up birdies on the 14th, 15th and 17th. A bogey on the 18th meant he made the turn at one-under.

Lahiri was on the ascent on his second nine as he converted a 15-footer for birdie on the third and then made pars all the way till the eighth before sinking a crucial eagle on the closing ninth. “The conditions continued to be tough as the wind was swirling around early in the morning. I missed a number of putts today and was therefore disappointed with my effort till I stepped on to the ninth green. The 30-feet eagle putt on the ninth helped me end the day in a very positive frame of mind,” said Lahiri.