The 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer (29-30), who began the day with a one-shot advantage, made four birdies to move to nine-under 59 at the halfway stage. Joshi, a two-time winner on the PGTI Tour this season and currently 12th in the Race to the India Championship, has not dropped a shot over the opening 18 holes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Heavy rain left the course unsuitable for full 18-hole rounds, prompting the Tournament Committee to stage each of the four rounds over the back nine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kolkata\u2019s 20-year-old Aryav Shah (30-31) made four birdies and one bogey in a three-under 31 to share second place at seven-under 61 with Nepal\u2019s Subash Tamang (32-29), Bengaluru\u2019s Akshay Neranjen (30-31) and Panchkula\u2019s Raunil Kukar (31-30).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tamang, 24, produced the joint lowest score of the second round, making five birdies in a bogey-free 29 to climb into contention.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joshi began his round with a birdie after striking a hybrid from the tee and following it with a precise approach. \u201cIt was another solid day,\u201d Joshi said. \u201cI felt a little more tentative and less comfortable than yesterday, but continued to hit quality shots throughout the round. I\u2019m pleased with the way I played.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The two consecutive bogey-free rounds have reflected the quality of Joshi\u2019s ball-striking. \u201cMy game has been solid from tee to green,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve also been hitting my approaches close to the flags, so I haven\u2019t faced too many long birdie putts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joshi has made the most of the scoring opportunities on the 10th, 12th and 13th during both rounds. \u201cThe 12th is drivable, while the 13th is a short par five where a good tee shot gives you an excellent birdie opportunity,\u201d he said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019ve hit good tee shots on both holes and taken advantage. Hopefully, I can continue doing that over the final two rounds.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Seven players shared sixth place at six-under 62: Chandigarh\u2019s Umed Kumar (33-29), Kolkata\u2019s Sunit Chowrasia (33-29), Gurugram\u2019s Veer Ahlawat (32-30), Sri Lanka\u2019s Chalitha Pushpika (30-32), Chandigarh\u2019s Vasu Sehgal (31-31), Noida\u2019s Bipin Mukhiya (30-32), Faridabad\u2019s Karan Pratap Singh (32-30).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019ve hit good tee shots on both holes and taken advantage. Hopefully, I can continue doing that over the final two rounds.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The cut fell at three-under 65, with 56 players from the field of 132 advancing to the final two rounds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n