By Rahul Banerji
Last year’s Glade One Masters runner-up Manu Gandas gave himself another shot at the title with a third round of 4-under 68 that gave him a two-shot edge in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
The Gurgaon golfer (36-34-68) climbed four places into the lead on 6-under 138, the PGTI said.
Meanwhile, at the International Series Thailand at Hua Hin, Viraj Madappa and Karandeep Kochhar were the best-placed Indians in tied eighth place on 7-under 65 after the first day.
US golfer Sihwan Kim, a frequent India visitor lead the #\$1.5 million event with a record-breaking 10-under 62 at the Black Mountain course.
Back in Ahmedabad, Delhi’s Shamim Khan (35-37-68), a 15-time winner on the PGTI, also struck a 68 to gain 16 spots for second place on 4-under 140.
Aalaap I.L. (35-40-67) of Mysore set the course record with a 5-under 67 to end the day in tied third on 2-under 142 along with Gurgaon’s Kartik Sharma (36-35-71).
Aalaap fired six birdies and a bogey en route to his 67 that pushed him up 43 places.
Accurate irons
Gandas, tied for fifth after round two, found most fairways on day three and created many birdie opportunities from short range thanks to his accurate approach shots.
Five of his six birdies came from a range of 10 feet. Manu’s sixth and last birdie of the day was a 30-foot conversion. He also dropped a couple of shots.
Gandas, who won his maiden PGTI title last season, said, “I have some good memories from my last outing here as I had finished second.
“That gave me confidence coming into this week. I also had a terrific season last year so I feel I’m still in that zone and continuing from where I left.
“Today I took it one shot at a time and tried to stay in the present without thinking too ahead despite the flurry of birdies from the sixth to the 14th.”
Shamim Khan, who was overnight tied 18th, benefited from a hot putter as he drained a 30-footer and four 12-footers in his five birdies.
Shamim had a lone bogey on Friday.
Mixed bag at Hua Hin
In Thailand, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Rashid Khan, Honey Baisoya and Aman Raj were tied for 28th on 5-under 67 while Khalin Joshi and Ajeetesh Sandhu were in a 19-strong group with 4-under 68s.
Chikkarangappa S, Shiv Kapur, Aadil Bedi, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Udayan Mane, Veer Ahlawat and Rahil Ganjee were strung out behind them.
Sihwan has been in brilliant form since the Asian Tour restarted and in the final pairing on Sunday in three events including last week’s Royal’s Cup although victory has so far eluded him, adds asiantour.com.
“Whatever is done is done. I just plan to play my best this week,” said the 33 year old, who was joint fourth in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship, fourth in the SMBC Singapore Open and tied for second last week.
“It was an interesting round. I didn’t get anything going on the front.
“After I kind of imploded on 17, when I missed a foot putt by putting it one handed, I just caught fire for some reason, and I kind of got it going.”
Also read: Two-way tie for lead on day two of Glade One Masters
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