Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 8: Sri Lankan golfer N. Thangaraja continued his blistering form on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), carding a six-under-par 65 to take the outright lead at the halfway mark of the INR 1 crore Bengaluru Open 2025. The event is being held at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) course.

With a two-day total of 11-under 131 (66-65), Thangaraja climbed from overnight tied third to the top of the leaderboard, holding a slender one-stroke lead over Kolkata’s Viraj Madappa, who followed up his opening 65 with a 67 to settle at 10-under 132.

Manu Gandas of Gurugram delivered the round of the tournament so far, firing an eight-under 63 to surge 26 spots and finish the day in solo third at nine-under 133.

Nepal’s Subash Tamang, who shared the overnight lead, dropped to tied fourth at eight-under 134 after a second-round 69. He was joined by Greater Noida’s Saptak Talwar, who returned a 68. Defending champion Abhinav Lohan of Gurugram finished the day tied for 11th at five-under 137.

Bengaluru’s top performers were Manoj S. and Mari Muthu R., both tied for 13th at four-under 138. The cut was made at one-over 143, with 50 professionals and one amateur advancing to the final two rounds.

Among the amateurs, Noida’s Kanav Chauhan was the only one to make the cut, ending tied 24th at two-under 140.

Thangaraja, currently ranked third on the PGTI Order of Merit, showed resilience after a patchy start. On his opening nine (back nine), he posted three birdies and two bogeys. His momentum picked up dramatically on the front nine, where he notched six birdies and one bogey, highlighted by two precision bunker shots that led to birdies.

“My tee shots, approaches, and putting were all on point today,” Thangaraja said. “The greens here are similar to my home course in Colombo, which gives me confidence. I believe putting will be crucial in the final stretch, so I’ll focus on that. I’ve been riding the momentum from my win in Chennai and want to keep it going.”

Madappa, who has already secured a win on the PGTI this year, was solid for most of his round with six birdies — including several long-range conversions. However, a double-bogey on the 17th hole slightly derailed his momentum.

“I’ve played solid golf over the last two days,” Madappa reflected. “Ending both rounds with bogeys was disappointing, but I’ve remained patient and focused. Today, I hit 13 greens in regulation and gave myself plenty of chances — I just need to keep pushing through all 18 holes.”

With two rounds remaining, the Bengaluru Open is shaping up for a tight finish, with several top contenders lurking close behind.