By Rahul Banerji
N. Thangaraja’s of Sri Lanka returned a five-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead in the Impiger Technologies presents Chennai Open at the TNGF course on Thursday.
The experienced Thangaraja made the most of a hot streak on the back nine to open up a one-shot lead on 16-under 200 over his closest pursuers in the Rs 40 lakh event that ends on Friday.
Manu Gandas of the DLF GCC struck a closing eagle in a strong late run that helped him post a 68 and stay in contention at 15-under 201.
Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha was a shot adrift with a day’s best of 66 and a closing eagle of his own that took his total to 14-under 202 and placed him third.
The first half of the round saw sultry conditions like on Wednesday but conditions then changed for the better with a gentle breeze blowing over the riverside course even as the temperature dropped.
There was a drizzle towards the end of play.
Overnight joint leader Thangaraja (66-67-67) continued to be a top runner with a tenacious 67 on Thursday that featured an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys.
Slow start
Thangaraja had a slow front nine where his best effort was a second shot on the fourth hole that left him a seven-foot eagle conversion.
A three-time winner on the PGTI, Thanga then picked up four birdies on the back nine with some great putting to strengthen his claim to the title.
“It was my putting all the way today. A strong back nine gave me confidence heading into the final round,” Thangaraja said later.
“I’ve played so well after a long time so just want to keep it going. I’ve adapted well to the conditions here as we encounter similar conditions at home in Sri Lanka,” said Thangaraja, who last won on the PGTI in 2018.
Gandas (68-65-68), the joint halfway leader along with Thanga, slipped a place on the day with an up and down round.
A three-time winner on the PGTI, Gandas was even par for the day through 12 holes before he rolled in some long birdie putts on 14 and 17 and set up an eagle with a terrific second shot on 18.
Mixed day
“It was a mixed bag for me today. I didn’t hit my wedges well and made some errors in the middle of the round but I was happy to finish well,” he said later.
“The key in round four would be to repeat what I’ve done so far.”
Chadha (71-65-66) moved up one spot to third thanks to some quality approach shots and wedge-play that brought him birdies on the first four holes and the eighth hole for an outstanding front nine.
He then dropped a shot on 15 but more than made up for it with an eagle on 18 thanks to a brilliant second shot.
Chadha said, “I managed myself really well today and it was a good day for me on the greens. I’ve done well on the front nine so far so want to keep that going in the last round.”
Karandeep Kochhar (68) from Chandigarh was fourth on 12-under 204 and Bangalore’s Khalin Joshi (70) a further shot back in fifth.
Ravi Kumar of Chandimandir produced a 66, the day’s joint best, to be tied sixth on nine-under 207 along with Bangladesh’s Badal Hossain (67).
Defending champion Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka was tied 16th at five-under 211.
The two Chennai-based professionals who made the cut, S. Prasanth and Sandeep Syal, were placed tied 38th at even-par 216 and tied 51st at four-over 220 respectively.
Also read: Thangaraja, Gandas share Chennai Open lead after day two
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