Red-Hot Chilean Makes His Move In India

9 months ago by Comments Off on Red-Hot Chilean Makes His Move In India

Red-hot Chilean Joaquin Niemann has put himself in contention to capture a second straight Asian Tour International Seies event two years apart.

Niemann, who captered last year’s season-ending PIF International in Saudi Arabia, returned to play two holes of his delayed opening round and then, in starting his second round from the 10th he birdied the 15th and 16th holes before brilliantly eagling the par-5 eighth hole or the 17th of his round in a score of 68.

It handed the 26-year-old a 36-hole four-under-par tally and just two adrift of clubhouse leading Guatemala-born Jose Toledo who posted nine birdies but also three bogeys in a six-under 66 to enjoy the clubhouse lead in the fog-interrupted $2.5m event by two shots at six-under on the stunning but demanding layout at DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi.

Double major-winning Bryson DeChambeau signed for a 72 and sits at one-under heading into the weekend.

The second round was cut short for half the field due to a lingering fog delay that held up play for two hours at the start of the day—on top of a one-hour delay from the previous morning.

First-round leader Eugenio Chacarra from Spain, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, and the Philippines’ Justin Quiban—all on three-under—still have holes left to finish. They’ll join 50 other players who will resume their rounds early on Saturday.

Niemann is chasing back-to-back victories on The International Series, having already sealed the season-ending PIF Saudi International in December.

This latest round showed off the same poise: he picked his spots, stayed calm on the ruthless DLF layout, and rolled in a jaw-dropping lob shot for eagle on the par-five eighth before scrambling to save par on the final hole.

“It’s a tough track,” he said. “You’ve really got to trust your lines off the tee. I’m just happy to be in a good spot as we head into the weekend. There’s still a lot of golf left.”

Fresh from a lengthy break that included his wedding, the 26-year-old Torque GC player looks energised.

He’s also kept an impeccable record whenever he’s teed it up on the Asian Tour—finishing inside the top 10 each time he’s played, despite only having five appearances to his name.

 



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