Bangalore’s Dharma is Moving Day leader at Gurgaon Open

Bangalore golfer M. Dharma lines up a putt on day three of the Gurgaon Open at the Classic course on Thursday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

The lead continued to change hands at the inaugural Gurgaon Open with Bangalore’s M. Dharma taking over at the top on Moving Day at the Classic Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Dharma returned a 5 under par 67 to total 14 under 202 and lead by two strokes after three days of the Rs 1 crore event powered by Amrutanjan, the PGTI said.

Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya ended the penultimate day in second place on 12-under 204 with a 66.

In relatively calmer conditions with the wind easing off somewhat, Delhi-based Saarthak Chhibber returned the day’s best card of 64 to climb 15 places into tied third on 11-under 205.

Besides Saarthak, the three others sharing the spot were Bangladesh’s Md Akbar Hossain (66), Jaipur-based Prakhar Asawa (67) and Mukesh Kumar (67) of Mhow.

Two-time PGTI winner Dharma (66-69-67), who trailed overnight leader Rajiv Kumar Jatiwal by two strokes, took the lead courtesy a card that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.

Slow start

The 38-year-old, whose last win came in 2017, made a shaky start with a second hole bogey. But he came back strongly with four birdies on the front nine, using his wedges to good effect by landing the ball within three feet of the pin on two occasions.

Dharma began the back nine with another bogey on hole 11 before scripting another recovery with three gained strokes between holes 12 and 17 which included his second outstanding approach shot of the day from 120 yards that stopped inches from the hole.

Dharma said, “I managed to make comebacks every time I dropped a bogey today. The highlight of my round were the two approach shots from 120 yards out on the seventh and 12^th  to make birdies. I struck the ball really well and chipped well too.

“I feel the birdie on 17 after a terrific tee shot really lifted my confidence going into the last round. I’ll look to do the basics right, just focus on my game and not think too far ahead in order to perform well in the final round.”

Baisoya’s (69-69-66) unblemished card saw him rise four places on the day. Besides his six birdies, the two-time winner on the PGTI last year, sank two 40 feet par putts on 16 and 17 to stay in striking range of the lead.

Chhibber (71-70-64) made a big move on Thursday with a flawless 64 that included five birdie conversions from between 10 and 15 feet and three crucial par saves.

Halfway leader Jatiwal signed for a 73 and as a result, slipped to tied seventh on 10-under 206.  

Round 3 leaders

202: M Dharma (66-69-67)

204: Sachin Baisoya (69-69-66)

205: Saarthak Chhibber (71-70-64); Md Akbar Hossain (69-70-66); Prakhar Asawa (69-69-67); Mukesh Kumar (70-68-67)

Also read: Chandigarh golfer Jatiwal takes Gurgaon Open halfway lead