Mishra takes two-shot lead at AP Amateur Golf Championship

Anshul Mishra leads the AP Amateur Golf Championship at 141, holding a two-stroke advantage over Deepak Yadav

Hyderabad: On another tough scoring day, Order of Merit leader Anshul Mishra found his rhythm and range midway through the second round on Wednesday to open up a two-shot lead at the IGU Andhra Pradesh Amateur Golf Championship at the East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday..

The 17-year-old Kolkatan added a one-under 71 to his opening 70 for a two-day total of three-under 141. Playing partner and joint overnight leader Deepak Yadav was forced to grind in blustery conditions, shooting a one-over 73 to slip two strokes behind the leader.

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Following a gritty one-under 71, Vinamra Anand — winner of the season opener in March – sat two shots further back in third place at one-over 145, becoming one of only two golfers besides the leader to shoot a sub-par score on the second day.

Shashank Sachin Gadre (74) was in sole fourth place, while Hiransh Singh, third overnight, slipped to the eighth place after shooting a disappointing six-over 78.

Mishra, a 10th tee starter, got off to a poor start after finding the hazard with his driver tee shot and settled for a bogey six. On the par-3 16th, he found the water with his 5-iron tee shot to drop another shot.

However, the youngster, already a winner this season, regrouped before much damage could be done. He sank a tricky 12-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole to regain his confidence. After the turn, Mishra birdied the first three holes to go to two-under for the day. He holed an eight-footer on the first, nailed the pin on the second and sank a 12-footer on the third hole.

An unlucky bogey on the eighth hole spoilt his card a bit. Attempting to ride the wind with a 9-iron tee shot, he was left way short by the swirling gusts. After a poor chip, he missed a 15-foot par putt to settle for a 71.

Leading scores (after 36 holes): 141: Anshul Mishra (WB, 70, 71); 143: Deepak Yadav (Del, 70, 73); 145: Vinamra Anand (UP, 74, 71); 146: Shashank Sachin Gadre (Mah, 72, 74); 147: Ribhav Verma (Har, 74, 73); 148: Jai Gupta (Chd, 76, 72), Anas Khan (Del, 75, 73); 149: Hiransh Singh (Del, 71, 78).