By Rahul Banerji
Indonesia’s Rory Hie is well on course for a title encore at the Classic Golf & Country Club.
For a third straight day, Hie kept the lead with a 6-under 66 in round three of the Gurgaon Challenge Tata Steel PGTI–ADT on Thursday.
The 33-year-old (63-69-66), who became the first player from his country to win on the Asian Tour after he claimed the Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship in 2019, maintained his overnight lead.
His 54-hole total stands at 18-under 198, one shot ahead of American Dodge Kemmer (67-66-66), the PGTI said.
Kemmer is on 17-under 199 at the $75,000 event jointly sanctioned by the PGTI and Asian Development Tour.
Hie’s round on Thursday included two birdie chip-ins.
Abhijit Singh Chadha (68-66-66) was the highest-placed Indian in tied third after he too returned a 66 that took his total to 16-under 200.
Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolaphaisan (66-67-67) carded a 67 to share third place with Chadha.
Day’s pick
Kartik Sharma has the day’s best score, an 8-under 64, to move up 19 spots to fifth place on 14-under 202.
Kartik, like Rory, made two chip-ins on Thursday, one for birdie on the second and the other for an eagle-two on 15 where he holed it from 40 yards.
Hie began his day with a chip-in birdie on the first hole. Hie, struggling with his ball-striking, then produced two more birdies and a bogey before the turn.
The second birdie chip-in of the day came from a tough position on the seventh.
Rory, who was sharp with his short-game in round three, started rolling in the putts on the back nine and picked up birdies on 10, 13 and 14.
Rebound
After conceding his lead with a bogey on 16, Hie snatched the lead once again on 18 where he hit a great 4-iron second shot to set up a three-foot eagle conversion.
Rory said, “It was windy at the start and then was calm on the back nine so I took advantage of the relatively easier conditions there.
“The seventh was a crazy hole. I had no swing with my second shot but managed to hit it over the green. I then chipped in from there which was really a bonus.
“I had to dig deep today after I made bogey on 16. I made a tough eight-footer for par on 17 before the eagle on the last hole that gave me good momentum heading into the final day.
Preparation time
“I’m just looking to enjoy myself in the final round at one of my favourite venues. This week is good preparation for me for the Asian Tour events coming up soon.”
Kemmer was off to a flying start as he putted his way to an eagle and three birdies on the first six holes with some long conversions.
Thereafter, his progress slowed as he kept finding the trees and bunkers and missed a few fairways. Dodge managed two birdies and a bogey on the back nine.
Kemmer said, “I couldn’t get enough practice before the round this morning as I had trouble finding transport to the golf course.
“So I was delighted with my start as it could’ve been a lot worse.
“I was in the trees a lot more than the last two days but was able to find some gaps and get it into play and save par on a few occasions.
“The aim in round four would be to hit more fairways than I did today and putt well.”
Chadha, who enjoys a good record at Classic having won at the venue at the junior, amateur and professional levels, began well with four birdies on the first five holes.
Chadha then lost some momentum with three bogeys in quick succession but bounced back well on the back nine with five birdies. He drove the green on the par-4 15th to set up a birdie.
Chanat mixed six birdies and a bogey to join Abhijit in tied third.
Also read: Rory Hie stays in the lead at Gurgaon Challenge PGTI-ADT event
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