Akshay\u2019s extraordinary second round powered him into a three-shot lead at 18-under 120 at the PGTI\u2019s season-opener being played at the pristine Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Naya Raipur.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Honey Baisoya and Anshul Kabthiyal, both overnight tied fourth and two off the lead, shot scores of eight-under 61 on Wednesday to move into joint second place at 15-under 123.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Veer Ahlawat, one of the leading names in the field, was placed tied ninth at 11-under 127. The halfway cut was declared at six-under 132. Fifty-one professionals made the cut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Akshay Sharma (60-60), the overnight leader by one shot, once again equaled the lowest score ever achieved in a single round at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort to further consolidate his lead on day two. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandigarh-based Akshay, a winner of three professional titles, had an error-free round for the second day running.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 35-year-old Akshay, looking to end a five-year-long victory-drought, picked up five birdies on the back-nine which included two 18-feet conversions and a narrow miss for a hole-in-one on the 17th where his tee shot landed inches from the hole. This was the third occasion in the tournament that Sharma missed a hole-in-one by a whisker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Akshay made further gains on the front-nine with two birdies and an eagle landing his iron shots within five feet on all three occasions. He missed out on an albatross on the eighth leaving himself a one-foot conversion for eagle. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 35-year-old Akshay, looking to end a five-year-long victory-drought, picked up five birdies on the back-nine which included two 18-feet conversions and a narrow miss for a hole-in-one on the 17th where his tee shot landed inches from the hole. This was the third occasion in the tournament that Sharma missed a hole-in-one by a whisker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all a result of the daily practice that I put in during the new-year break. My course management has also been top-notch this week. I switched my clubs recently and that has helped raise my game. The focus from here on will be on making most fairways and greens.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n