By Rahul Banerji
Shubhankar Sharma made a strong recovery after two indifferent says with an 8-under 64 in the third round of the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges at Jeju Island on Saturday.
It was the day’s best card and saw Sharma climb from a tie for 71st to shared 26th, a gain of 45 places. His total puts him 10 behind Brooks Koepka at the head of the field.
Sharma, who was 5-over par for 36 holes, is now 3-under after 54.
Koepka (67), who can become world no. 1 with a win this week, is 13-under 203. Ian Poulter (68) is tied for second with overnight leader Scott Piercy (72) at 9-under 207.
Bogey-free
Koepka was one of 10 players to go bogey-free on the day.
The others were Ted Potter Jr. (65), Rafa Cabrera Bello (65), Hideki Matsuyama (66), Emiliano Grillo (66), Cameron Smith (67), J.B. Holmes (68), Pat Perez (68), Gary Woodland (68), and Graeme McDowell (69)
Defending champion Justin Thomas made eagle on the last hole for an even-par 72 after a quadruple bogey on the par-4 14th hole.
The 2017 FedExCup champion sits at 1-under 215, 12 shots off Koepka’s lead entering the final round.
The third round brought a smile on Sharma’s face. “Really happy with the way I played today.
‘Had to go low’
“I knew that I had to go low to have any chance going into the weekend. Even for a good finish I had to go low today. I had a good start that was the most important thing.
“I think everything just kind of turned around for me. I was in a better zone today compared to the first two days.
“I didn’t get agitated. I still hit a few bad shots, but I was very, very calm on the course and I think that’s what kept me going.”
There was a six-way tie for fourth between Cabrera Bello (65), first-round leader Chez Reavie (70), Perez (68), Smith (67), Jamie Lovemark (68) and Woodland (68).
Koepka as held the 54-hole lead/co-lead four times in his career and has converted twice in the final round, including in each of his two wins during the 2017-18 PGA Tour season.
After opening the third round with eight consecutive pars, Koepka joined Piercy in the lead with a birdie at the ninth and then went ahead for the first time with a birdie.
He then added three more for a 5-under 67.
Solid round
The 2017-18 season player of the year said later, “I felt like I played pretty solid today, putted very well, put the ball in good spots to give myself good chances.
“Now I just need to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Added Poulter, “I played nicely again, very steady, holed a couple of nice putts and pretty happy with where I sit going into tomorrow.
“Yesterday was pretty calm and we had the same kind of conditions today.
“Tomorrow I’m going to need to make a few birdies. Brooks is in cruise control right now and obviously going to need a shoot a low one.”
For day two leader Piercy, it was about recovering from a mid-round slump.
Late bonus
“I’m a little frustrated,” he said. “Those two late birdies were a huge bonus to come in.
“I rolled the ball really well and kept hitting lip after lip. But I had a really difficult time hitting good iron shots today, which that’s normally my strong suit.”
Also read: Very good to have two top 10s on the PGA Tour, says Shubhankar
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What a performance, last time I had said he must not remain contented by being in position 09, he has shown today how talented he is. Best wishes to him for tomorrow.