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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 3: In seven of the last eight tournaments I have played in, I have been in almost similar positions after two rounds. I am close to the top and in a position to make a charge for the title, but not quite making it.
Simply put, I have not managed to hole a few crucial putts on the last couple of days. So, being in the joint second spot with three others after two days in the US $ 200,000 Hero Honda Masters is not an unfamiliar situation.
I have four top 10 finishes on the Asian Tour this year and two top three finishes in India, but I don’t have a title. But still I don’t want to put pressure on myself, because I know I am playing well and things will fall into place one of these days.
Like yesterday I stroked the ball well. I am hitting fine, but I still feel I could putt a little better. For instance, I missed a few short ones today.
I missed from three foot on the tenth, from five foot on the 17th and three-putted on the fifth. Then I again missed from six feet on the sixth and my eagle putt from 15 feet on the ninth was also just short. I am not saying I should have got all those, but a couple of them would have helped.
The greens have been very fast and they are undulating. I feel the pin positions may have been easier simply because on such sloping greens you can’t make them any tougher. I heard about Jyoti (Randhawa) and Rodrigo Cuello of the Philippines. Jyoti came back with eight-under and after a par round on the first day. He must be really breathing fire now. He could be the man yet again. As for Cuello, I saw he had a nine under without any birdies on the four par 5s.
Among others who are looking dangerous are Hendrik Buhrmann of South Africa, who also had an eight under today after a 72 yesterday. Sammy Daniels and Simon Dyson are also looking good after 67s today. Scott Taylor, who was playing with me, had a seven-under 65. In fact I feel shooting 64 and 63 is possible on this course. I just hope I am one of those getting it over the next two days. As for the plan for the next two days, frankly there is none.
I just want to hit the I have and the only thing I want to make sure is a few more
