The 33-year-old Bengaluru golfer, who began the day with a two-shot advantage, backed up his opening 63 with another assured display. His bogey-free round featured three birdies and an eagle as he pulled clear of Delhi\u2019s Rashid Khan and Chandigarh\u2019s Angad Cheema, who shared second place at six-under 136.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Starting from the 10th tee, Joshi made his first birdie of the day on the 12th after striking a five-iron to two feet. He followed it with a six-foot birdie conversion on the 13th before picking up another shot on the third, where he hit his lob wedge to three feet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The defining moment came on the par-five seventh. Joshi found the centre of the fairway with his drive and struck a seven-iron from about 190 yards to 20 feet before rolling in the eagle putt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThat was one of the best putts I made all day,\u201d said Joshi. \u201cI struck the ball solidly and gave myself more chances than I did yesterday, but I didn\u2019t convert as many. Considering how well I hit the ball, I probably could have shot a little lower score, but I\u2019m very pleased, especially to keep the card bogey-free.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joshi, a former Asian Tour winner who captured the Andhra Open Golf Championship in April, has dropped only one shot through 36 holes. His lone bogey came on the 17th during his opening round.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With a commanding cushion heading into the weekend, Joshi is determined to stay with the<\/p>\r\n\r\n
approach that has served him well over the first two days.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe strategy will remain simple. The rough is quite thick, so hitting fairways will be the key,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll continue giving myself birdie opportunities and hopefully convert a few more putts over the next two rounds.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joshi has also embraced the relaxed atmosphere at Royal Springs, where the striking surroundings\u2014and occasional bear sightings\u2014have enhanced the experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see the bears, although keeping a safe distance is important,\u201d he said. \u201cThe scenery here is unbelievable, so I\u2019m enjoying the atmosphere and the fact that I\u2019m playing good golf.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan (68-68) and Angad Cheema (68-68) remained Joshi\u2019s closest challengers after returning matching second-round 68s. Cheema, who finished runner-up at the Boulders Classic in April, joined Rashid at six-under 136.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Czech Republic\u2019s Stepan Danek (68-69), Noida\u2019s Gaurav Pratap Singh (68-69), Chandigarh\u2019s Ajeetesh Sandhu (65-72) and Joshua Seale (69-68) shared fourth place at five-under 137.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Eighteen-year-old Gurugram rookie Harman Sachdeva (65-73), who produced the only<\/p>\r\n\r\n
bogey-free round on the opening day, slipped six places to tied eighth at four-under 138.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Eighteen-year-old Gurugram rookie Harman Sachdeva (65-73), who produced the only<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The par-four 11th hole was shortened and played as a par-three due to waterlogging caused by heavy rain prior to the start of the tournament. The cut fell at one-over 143, with 50 of 131 players advancing to the last two rounds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n