Cheema Sets Course Record with 61, Extends Lead at Telangana Open

Vikarabad, Telangana – Angad Cheema’s flawless 11‑under 61 in the second round of the Telangana Open 2026 has set a new benchmark for the tournament. The 70‑61 round lifted his overall total to 13‑under 131, securing a two‑stroke lead heading into the final rounds. The event, offering a ₹1 crore purse, is being played at Wuthi Golf County.

Cheema, hailing from Chandigarh, opened with a birdie and then produced a remarkable run of five consecutive birdies from holes 3 to 7, taking him to 6‑under after seven holes. Following four straight pars, he unleashed a chip‑in eagle on the par‑5 12th and added three more birdies to close the round.

Delhi’s Rashid Khan managed a 66‑67 front‑nine, finishing the day at 5‑under 67 and a combined 11‑under 133, which placed him second. He began the round tied for third place.

The four‑time DP World PGTI winner highlighted that the 61 improved on his prior best of 10‑under and expressed great pleasure with the performance. A brief slowdown over holes 8‑11 was offset by the spectacular 12th‑hole eagle.

Khan’s round featured eagles on the par‑4 third and the par‑5 fifth holes, the latter from a three‑wood within eight feet. He believed that missed chances on holes 6 and 9 cost him a lower score.

Hyderabad’s 19‑year‑old Vishesh Sharma, fresh from a two‑week health setback, posted a 66‑68 for a three‑under 134 total, earning third place. His round included a par‑5 eagle on the third hole, four birdies and a single bogey.

Akshay Sharma of Chandigarh, who co‑led after the opening day, ended tied for fourth with Gurugram’s Dhrup Shyoran and Sri Lanka’s Mithun Pareira, each recording a nine‑under 135.

Pareira, returning from retirement, recorded a perfect 65 with seven birdies and no bogeys. Early‑leader Manju Gandas joined a five‑way tie for seventh with an eight‑under 136.

Current PGTI ranking leader Saptak Talwar posted a four‑under 140 to sit joint‑23rd. The cut was set at one‑under 143, allowing 50 of the 131 entrants to progress to the concluding rounds.