Jamal extends lead despite late wobble at Jeev Invitational

By Rahul Banerji

Jamal Hossain led the pack for a third straight day and extended his lead to three shots despite a late wobble at the Rs 1.5 crore Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational in Chandigarh on Saturday.

The Dhaka golfer (65-68-69), who enjoyed a one-shot overnight lead, submitted a card of 3-under 69 on Saturday to take his total to 14-under 202, the PGTO said.

Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya (66-68-71) kept himself in second place for the third straight day following his round of 71 for an 11-under 205.

Abhijit Singh Chadha produced a 70 to end Moving Day in third place on 10-under 206, which also made him the best-placed Chandigarh player.

Pukhraj Singh Gill fired the day’s best score of 66 to occupy tied fourth place on 9-under 207 along with multiple-time international winner Rahil Gangjee (69).

Aadil Bedi, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Angad Cheema were the other Chandigarh-based professionals in the top-10, the trio sharing eighth place on 7-under 209. 

Tournament host Jeev Milkha Singh (72-70-72), playing at his home course, returned a 72 on Saturday to be placed tied 38^th at two-under 214.

Solid form

Jamal was in prime form with his irons and wedges that set up five birdies over the first 13 holes. The 38-year-old from Dhaka, a four-time winner on the PGTI, also had an 18-foot birdie conversion on hole 13.

One wrong club pick on 14 resulted in Jamal’s first bogey of the day and affected his momentum as he continued to slide with two more further dropped shots with his only other birdie coming on 16.

Jamal said, “After being five-under for the day through 13 holes, I felt I was heading for a total of 18-under today.

“Even though I wasn’t driving well, my irons, wedge play and putting were top-notch till the 13th. I made just nine putts on the front nine. But the bogey on 14 because of a wrong club selection affected my concentration.

“My driving and tee shots have been an area of concern this week. I’ll look to improve on that front in the final round otherwise it will not be easy holding on to the advantage till the end.”

Tata Steel PGTI Ranking leader Om Prakash Chouhan (67) was tied 19^th on 5-under 211.

Round 3 leaders

202: Jamal Hossain (65-68-69)

205: Sachin Baisoya (66-68-71)

206: Abhijit Singh Chadha (70-66-70)

207: Pukhraj Singh Gill (68-73-66); Rahil Gangjee (72-66-69)

Also read: Jamal holds on to lead as event host Jeev makes the cut