NexGen Gurugram: Rajesh Kumar's Stellar 66 Gives Him Three-Shot Lead After Round 2
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Synopsis
Lucknow’s Rajesh Kumar Gautam has taken a three-shot lead with a six-under 66, totaling nine-under 135 after round two of the PGTI NexGen Gurugram 2025 at Golden Greens Golf & Polo Club.
Key Takeaways
- Rajesh Kumar Gautam leads with a total of nine-under 135.
- He achieved a bogey-free round with six birdies.
- Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal slipped to second place after a 73.
- The cut was at two-over 146 for the top 36 professionals.
- Focus for final round: hit greens and play steady golf.
Gurugram, March 12 (NationPress) Lucknow’s Rajesh Kumar Gautam improved upon his initial round of three-under 69 by achieving an impressive six-under 66 to take a commanding three-shot lead, totaling nine-under 135 after the second round of the PGTI NexGen Gurugram 2025 at the Golden Greens Golf & Polo Club here on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old PGTI newcomer Rajesh (69-66), who made six birdies without a single bogey on Wednesday, ascended two places from his overnight tied third position in this season-opening event.
Chandigarh’s Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal (65-73), who led after the first round by three shots, fell to second place at six-under 138 after carding a 73 on day two. Ahmedabad's Aniket Sawant (69-70) held third place at five-under 139. The cut was set at two-over 146, with the top 36 professionals advancing to the third and final round.
Rajesh Kumar Gautam, a newly turned professional this year who secured a partial card on the PGTI main tour via the PGTI Qualifying School, exhibited excellent form in round two, hitting 16 greens in regulation. His round included a notable 30-foot birdie conversion.
“I feel that my current standing is a testament to my consistency over the past two days. I have made very few mistakes. I recorded just two bogeys in round one, and today was completely bogey-free. I kept my shots close and also made a couple of longer putts,” Rajesh expressed.
“In the final round, my focus will be on hitting as many greens as possible and maintaining steady golf. Now it’s up to the others to catch up with me,” he added.
In the opening round, Chandigarh’s Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal posted a seven-under 65 to take the lead. The experienced Rajiv achieved an eagle and five birdies en route to his 65 on Tuesday.
Having won his only title on his professional debut back in 1998, Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal made most of his advancements early in his round, netting five birdies between the first and tenth holes and following that with an eagle on the 11th, thanks to a 10-foot conversion. The 48-year-old’s eagle came from a perfect blend of skills as he sunk two additional long birdie putts and positioned his wedge shots within four feet for two more birdies. He narrowly missed a hole-in-one on the eighth where he also scored a birdie.
