When a three-time Major Champion says players need to accept that bogeys or worse will be inevitable on Delhi Golf Club's narrow fairways, the rest of the field could be forgiven for fearing the worst. For SSP Chawrasia, though, Padraig Harrington's pre-tournament comments would prove anything but prophetic.
The Indian, who has played the course 16 times in competitive action, carded a respectable round of five under par in round two. His scrambling figures were impressive, too - he successfully completed five out of six attempts.
However, that doesn't tell the whole story.
On the 437-yard par four 11th hole, Chawrasia found himself the wrong side of the ropes. In the leaf-covered mud and just in front of the trees, he needed a cultured shot to reach the green to stand a chance of birdie...
Does one of the S's stand for Seve? Brilliant from SSP.#HIO2016 https://t.co/YsqImtvSCj
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 18, 2016
That birdie by Chawrasia on the 11th really had Seve Ballesteros written all over it! @HIO_2016 @EuropeanTour @asiantourgolf
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) March 18, 2016
At the par five 14th, Chawrasia was faced with an even more daunting shot to get up and down. With little room for a complete backswing, the pin was just visible from within the trees.
You can probably guess what happened next.
SSP Chawrasia went into the trees again...so naturally another birdie followed. 🐦#HIO2016 https://t.co/H3g49YS4aZ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 18, 2016
Speaking about his incredible play, Chawrasia said: "When I was hitting, I thought I would make birdies, but then I had to do a bit of work to get them. The birdie on the 11th was about 15 feet and the one on the 14th about 14 feet.
"My hitting was not bad, but whenever I got into a sticky situation, my putter got me through."
With ten top tens in 16 appearances at Delhi GC, Chawrasia might be the man to watch over the weekend.
