England teenager Joshua Berry on his way into the lead on day three of the Kolkata Challenger at Royal Calcutta Golf Club on Saturday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Joshua Berry followed his course record 10 under par 62 on day two with a solid 70 for the sole lead after day three of the $300,000 Kolkata Challenger at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club on Saturday.
The teenager from England needed a late rally to take a one-shot lead at the HotelPlanner Tour and PGTI co-sanctioned event, and with rounds of 72, 62 and 70 he has a three-day total of 12 under 204, the PGTI said.
Austria’s Lukas Nemecz (67-70-68) climbed from tied fourth to second with a 68 on Saturday while overnight joint leader Om Prakash Chouhan (66-68-73) slipped four places to tied fifth on 9 under 207.
Berry, the overnight leader alongside Chouhan, had two early bogeys on Saturday but bounced back with four birdies including three in quick succession between holes 14 and 17, converting a 35-footer for birdie on nine.
The 19-year-old, who secured DP World Tour playing status at Qualifying School in 2023 as an amateur and then did so again as a professional in 2024, felt patience was crucial on a challenging day.
“It was a bit of a grind. It was brutal out there at times but I’m proud of how I came back,” Berry said later.
“I think the front nine is a little trickier than the back nine, where you get a few more chances, but on the first nine, you’ve got to just stick in there. There are some meaty par fours so you’ve got to stay patient.
Flying long
“Because of the heat, the ball is going absolutely miles and the greens are firm. If you miss a fairway, it could go anywhere so you’ve got to keep it in play.
“It was definitely trickier playing in the afternoon today. We’re teeing off earlier tomorrow, so hopefully I can take advantage of that.”
Chouhan, 38, who won the HotelPlanner Tour event at the RCGC in 2023, made a couple of birdies on Saturday but also dropped three shots.
“I’ve been striking the ball well as I made eight greens in regulation over the first nine holes,” Chouhan said.
“But it was a poor day with the putter for me. I just couldn’t get into my putting rhythm and was having trouble reading the greens.
“The key on the final day will be finding my putting tempo early in the round. Once that happens, I have my plans in place on how to approach the last round.”
Arjun Prasad was the next best Indian in tied 12th place on 6 under 210 following a third round of 68 which featured an eagle, three birdies and a bogey.
Gaganjeet Bhullar (71) and Dhruv Sheoran (73) were tied for 15th on 5 under 211, making it four Indians in the top 20.
Local star Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia and Ajeetesh Sandhu were tied for 24th on 4 under 212.
Also read:Berry shoots course record to share round two lead with Chouhan
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