Rahil Gangjee (72-71-65) made his way up to the top of the
pack from overnight tied sixth position after a brilliant seven-under-65.
Gangjee, a former winner on the Asian Tour, made an early charge with birdies
on the first three holes. The 36-year-old almost holed out his tee shot on the
par-3 third where the ball stopped inches from the pin. Rahil added three more
birdies to his card before the eagle on the 16th where he hit an
immaculate approach shot around the bushes to land it within 10 feet. He closed
with a bogey on the last hole.
“I made maximum use of the par-5s today as I was five-under
on the four par-5s with three birdies and an eagle. I hit some good approach
shots and landed it within 10 feet on a lot of occasions and also converted
those putts. The conditions were relatively easier on day three as the wind
wasn’t a factor. My best shot of the day was probably the cut shot around a
small bush on the 16ththat set up the 10 feet eagle putt. I’ve missed three
cuts in a row but I’m looking forward to a top finish this week,” said Gangjee.
Mukesh Kumar (71-71-66) put together a bogey-free 66 to rise
from overnight tied fourth to joint first. Mukesh had a quiet front-nine with
birdies on the sixth and ninth but then pushed ahead with four birdies on the
back-nine, including three in a row on the 15th, 16th and 17th. The
49-year-old seasoned golfer converted two long putts on the 12th and 17th and
set up tap-in birdies on the ninth and 15th.
Mukesh said, “My hitting and putting were the best today as
compared to the last two rounds. However, I could’ve gone lower as I missed
five birdie putts from close range. Nonetheless, this round puts me back on
track and I just need to keep making those putts in the final round in order to
be in contention.”
Anura Rohana shot the best score of the week, an
eight-under-64, to move up from overnight tied 14th to tied third.
Rohana’s third round effort featured an eagle on the 16th and six birdies.
He sank two 15-footers including one for eagle and landed it within five feet
of the flag on three occasions.
“I was scrambling through the first two rounds but today I
hit most fairways and greens. This is a good comeback,” said Rohana.
Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was tied second at the halfway stage,
dropped to tied third after his round of 69 on Friday.
Defending champion Shubhankar Sharma, who led by three shots
after round two, slipped to fifth position at six-under-210 post his third
round of 73.
PGTI Press release
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