Abhijit Chadha back in Jaipur Open lead with 5-under third round

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Abhijit Singh Chadha
Three-time PGTI winner Abhijit Singh Chadha on his way to a two-shot lead in the third round of the Jaipur Open on Friday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Abhijit Singh Chadha regained the lead with a five-under 65 in round three of the Jaipur Open at Rambagh Golf Club on Friday.

Chandigarh golfer Chadha (62-69-65), who led the field in round one before slipping to second overnight leads the pack by two shots on 14-under 196.

Mhow’s Om Prakash Chouhan (67-66-65), who has made five chip-ins so far including two in round three, played an error-free round of 65 to gain four places and climb to second on 12-under 198.

Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain fired the day’s best of 63 to move up 15 spots to tied third on 11-under 199 alongside Mari Muthu R. (67) of Bangalore, the PGTI said.

Halfway leader Amrit Lal of Chandigarh dropped to tied seventh on nine-under 201 with a 73 on Friday.

Local professional Girraj Singh Khadka was tied 28th at three-under 207. Amateur Manoviraj Shekhawat, the other Jaipur golfer to make the cut, was 50th on six-over 216.

Long conversions

Three-time PGTI winner Chadha’s day was highlighted by his three long birdie conversions from a range of 15 to 30 feet as he did well to negotiate the tricky greens.

The 31-year-old Chadha, a winner on the PGTI last year and currently 17th on the tour’s merit list, also set up three tap-in birdies. His seven birdies were accompanied by two bogeys.

“I managed myself well despite the conditions not being easy as the wind was swirling around and the greens were tricky,” Chadha said later.

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“I stayed patient and I’ve been rewarded for that. I was also very consistent with my putting.

“The wind generally doesn’t have much of an impact here in Jaipur. But this week we’ve had more windy conditions than usual for this venue.”

Cashing in

Chouhan capitalised on his hot short-game as he followed up his three chip-ins on the first two days with two more for birdies in round three.

He also picked up three more shots from between 12 and 20 feet.

Chouhan said, “My chipping and wedge shots have been outstanding this week.

“I’ve also made a lot of long putts over the last three days. I enjoy playing at Rambagh as I always feel I have a chance at this course.

“Been in contention here every time but never won. I would like to change that.”

Also read: Chandigarh’s Amrit Lal seizes second-round lead at Jaipur Open

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