By Rahul Banerji
Chikkarangappa S. produced the day’s best round of 5-under-67 to take a share of the lead at 13-under-203 alongside fellow Bangalore golfer and good friend C. Muniyappa (68) after the third round of the Tata Steel PGTI Delhi-NCR Open at the Noida Golf Course on Thursday.
On day two, meanwhile, professionals Trishul Chinnappa and Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka held a well-attended clinic for NGC juniors, sharing suggestions and tips with the engrossed youngsters.
Chikkarangappa (67-69-67), who has won twice on the PGTI in the last six months, moved up two places while former Indian Open champion Muniyappa (66-69-68) held on to the joint lead for the second day in succession.
Halfway leader Shamim Khan of Delhi and Kolkata’s Shankar Das were tied third, three shots adrift.
Gaurav Pratap Singh (68) was the highest-placed Noida golfer in tied sixth place at 6-under-210.
Perfect conditions
After two days of overcast conditions and brief dust storms and rain, the NGC witnessed perfect golfing conditions on Thursday as there was bright sunshine, pleasant weather and a cool breeze sweeping across the course.
Chikka, one off the lead at the halfway stage, got off to a hot start with birdies on the first two holes. After a dropped shot on a par-3, the two-time winner on the Asian Development Tour got his round back on track with two more birdies before the turn.
The 25-year-old had another blip when he found the trees and a bogey. However, the 11-time winner on the PGTI, came back with a 25-foot eagle conversion and an impressive two-putt birdie on a par-5.
Chikka said, “I started well today as I hit some good tee shots, landed it close to the holes and made my putts on the front nine. Then somehow I felt that I lost some momentum and energy from the eighth to the 12th.
On target
“At that point I told my caddie that I had to pick up at least three more birdies in the round. As it turned out, I earned an eagle and a birdie and thus achieved my target of gaining three shots.
“I’ve been in good form for some time now as every aspect of my game has been shaping up well since late last year.
“I’m also happy to see Muniyappa playing some solid golf. It’ll be a great contest tomorrow as both of us play a lot of practice rounds together back home in Bangalore.”
Muniyappa, who has not won a title since his memorable Indian Open triumph in 2009, benefitted from a hot putter for the second day running as he knocked in four birdies from between 10 and 25 feet.
Solid recoveries
The 42-year-old, who had a solitary bogey during his round, finished the day on a high as he landed his bunker shot within a foot of the pin for birdie on the par-5 17th.
Muniyappa, a winner of two titles, also made an outstanding par save on the 18th where he landed his third shot from 130 yards to a distance of one foot from the flag once again and said later, “It’s good to be in the final day leader group after a long time.
“I’m very confident of my putting at the moment especially the long putts. That definitely gives me a good chance in the final round. I’ve waited very long for a win so I need to grab all the opportunities that come my way in round four.
“I look forward to playing alongside with my good friend Chikka for the second straight day. We’ve played a lot of golf together so there will be a healthy rivalry on the course.”
Shamim Khan dropped from the overnight joint lead to tied third after a 71 that took his total to 10-under-206. Shankar Das carded a 68 to also take a share of third place.
Delhi’s Harshjeet Singh Sethie, the only amateur to make the cut, was tied 39th at 2-over 218.
Follow all the Delhi-NCR Open action at LIVE SCORE
Also read: Winner, or not: The distance between the two
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