By Rahul Banerji
Q-School topper Varun Parikh shot the day’s best of five-under-par 67 to join local boy Kartik Sharma in the lead on day three of the Rs. 1 crore Kapil Dev-Grant Thornton Invitational on Thursday.
Gurgaon’s Sharma had a level-par 72 on the day to be tied alongside the Ahmedabad golfer on six-under 210 at the DLF Golf & Country Club.
Bangalore’s Syed Saqib Ahmed (71) was third on four-under 212 while another Gurgaon pro, Manu Gandas (73), was in fourth place on three-under 213.
Parikh (73-70-67), winner of the PGTI Qualifying School this year, jumped seven spots from overnight tied eighth on the back of his 67 that featured six birdies and a bogey.
Having bogeyed early, the 24-year-old picked up pace with some accurate wedge shots that led to birdies on four and nine.
Parikh carried the momentum onto the back nine, holing long putts for birdies on 11, 12, 14 and 15.
Parikh said, “I hit it solid and kept it in play. I hit a lot of fairways and greens and just followed my gameplan.
In contention
“I was a little calmer today as I knew that with a four or five-under you’re always in contention at this course. Going to stick to the same gameplan in the last round.”
Sharma (71-67-72), halfway leader by two shots, had a topsy-turvy 72 on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, playing at his home course, had a superb front nine with an eagle and three birdies.
Sharma then had a contrasting back nine where he had some off swings that resulted in five bogeys.
Kartik said, “The more you play this course, the more you learn. I feel I have a little more advantage with this being my home course. I know the right areas to hit.
“But one has still got to execute those shots. It was an up and down day but I’m pleased with the way I handled myself.”
Slipping away
In contrast, favoured stars Gaganjeet Bhullar and Yuvraj Singh Sandhu were tied 26th on five-over 221, while Jyoti Randhawa was tied 36th at seven-over 223.
In rounds three and four, amateurs have teamed up with the professionals and they are competing for separate team prizes.
There will be a different set of amateurs and teams competing in rounds three and four. The amateurs will also include personalities from the corporate world as well as celebrities including a few big-name cricketers.
Also read: Kartik Sharma leads KDGT Invitational by two after second round
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