Two-way draw for 72 The League lead after Day 2 over Jaypee Greens

Saptak Talwar of the Mumbai Aces, playing at his home court Jaypee Greens, defeated Kolkata’s formidable Rashid Khan 1-up in the most exciting match of day two in the DP World PGTI’s 72 The League on Wednesday.

By Rahul Banerji

UP Prometheans moved into a share of the lead alongside day one toppers Rajasthan Regals after two rounds of the DP World PGTI’s 72 The League in Greater Noida on Wednesday.

While the Regals were reduced to just four points by Charminar Challenge, the Prometheans claimed nine points in the second round over event favorites Naya Raipur to jointly top the rankings.

In fact, UP was denied its only lead by a magical second shot from the trees by Raipur’s Jhared Hack on the final hole.

The American smashed his hooked 8-iron shot from 180 yards out for an eagle, delivering an unlikely victory that at one point in the fourball looked impossible.

In the third match of the day, Mumbai Aces took nine points from their three wins against the Kolkata Classics, who took six points from their two wins in the best-of-five matchups.

The Charminar Challengers of Hyderabad moved to third place with 15 points, with Naya Raipur (14) nipping at their heels, while the Aces (11) and the Classics (7) were at the back.

Big draw

But just like Tuesday, it was the singles that attracted the greatest interest.

Playing on his home course, stalwart Ace Saptak Talwar produced clutch golf in the final stretch to beat the formidable Rashid Khan of the Kolkata Classics by 1 in the most exciting match of the day.

In other good results, Om Prakash Chouhan and Anshul Kabthiyal of Hyderabad recorded 2&1 wins over Jairaj Sandhu and Michele Ortolani of the Regals, propelling their team to third place.

Talwar gets a warm and fuzzy feeling on the course where he won his maiden title as a professional golfer at the Adani Invitational Golf Championship last year.

And the 27-year-old once again showed why home advantage matters.

On the 16th hole he was hampered by a tree, but somehow managed to get his ball to the green for a par.

On the 17th, Khan’s shot hit the flag and trickled to within a foot of the cup.

Long range strike

After giving him that putt, Talwar rolled his ball in from almost 100 feet for an incredible birdie and the all-important lead.

“It was a long, stressful day. I grew up at Delhi Golf Club and I have admired Rashid Khan ever since I picked up a club,” Talwar said later.

“So to bring him here in the way that turned out was breathtaking to be honest.

“And yes, this golf course is special to me. I had my first win here and I spent a lot of time here in my early years, so this course has a special place in my heart.”

After a fantastic win on Monday and a good combination in the much tougher foursomes (alternate ball) format, the Regals’ Chikkarangappa S. and Dhruv Sheoran were the only pair retained for the second round.

Rewarding choice

The duo repaid captain Ajeetesh Sandhu’s faith by beating Anshul Patel and Vishesh Sharma 4&2 in a match where they were in control throughout the match.

In-form Shubham Jaglan and American Dominic Piccirillo secured three points for Charminar Champions by beating K. Prabagaran and Yuvraj Singh 2&1 in the foursome.

Jaglan later revealed their secret: “We communicated so well. Before the match, we told each other that we wouldn’t say sorry if either of us puts the other in a bad position.”

“Nobody really wants to get their partner in trouble with their shots. It just happens. And that was a good strategy.”

The third round will be played at Jaypee Greens on Wednesday. The Regals will take on Mumbai Aces, while the other two matches will be between Kolkata Classics and UP Prometheans and Nava Raipur against Charminar Champions.

Competition standings after round 2

Rajasthan Regals – 17 points

UP Prometheans – 17 points

Charminar Champions – 15 points

Nava Raipur – 14 points*

Mumbai Aces – 11 points*

Kolkata Classics – 7 points

(* denotes the unfinished result of the first round four-ball match, which will be determined on Monday)

Also read: Gritty Kartik steals the spotlight on opening day as the Regals top table

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