By Rahul Banerji
Three birdies in his last five holes gave Manu Gandas a share of the lead alongside local lad Amardeep Malik at the Prometheus School Delhi-NCR Open at Noida Golf Course on Thursday.
On a windy and cool day Gandas (65-69-67) and NGC’s Malik (65-67-69) were 15-under 201 with a four-shot advantage over the field.
While Gandas struck a determined 5-under 67 to join Malik in the lead again after round one, the latter produced a 3-under 69 to stay atop the leaderboard for the third day in succession.
A fascinating finale lies in prospect as Gurgaon-based Gandas has been in great form with a win and two other top-10s this season and is fifth on the PGTI Order of Merit.
For his part, Malik enjoys home advantage besides the fact that the NGC is where he has won both his previous titles, the PGTI said.
Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (69) was third on 11-under 205.
Panchkula’s Angad Cheema carded the day’s best of 66 to hold fourth place on 10-under 206.
Noida’s Vikrant Chopra too returned a 66 to be placed tied sixth on 8-under 208.
Early misses
Gandas, a two-time winner on the PGTI, was struggling to read the greens early as he missed short putts on the first three holes that also led to a bogey on the third.
However, the 26-year-old quickly addressed the issue and found the hole for his three birdies that followed on the front nine.
Manu brought his wedges into the game on the back nine where his chip shots were instrumental in earning him three more birdies and two important par-saves.
“At the start of the round, I wasn’t reading the greens well,” Gandas said.
“But I sorted that out and began rolling in the putts. I didn’t hit as many greens today but was just off the green on many occasions and I made good chip-putts there.
“I’ve been consistent through the week especially with my ball-striking.
Crucial saves
“The two par-saves on 16 and 18 came at crucial junctures today to keep my rhythm going and contributed to my good score.
“I feel as long as I’m putting well, I will have a good chance in the last round.”
Malik, overnight sole leader by two shots, mixed five birdies with two bogeys on Friday.
The 36-year-old capitalised on three of the four par-5s, chipped in for birdie on 10 and landed his approach within a foot for a tap-in birdie on 12.
Malik’s long-range birdie putts narrowly missed the pins on the last two holes.
Malik said, “I played well and had a good round but just didn’t make a lot of putts and missed a few birdie opportunities on the front nine.
Good memories
“The key in the final round would be to just focus on what I’m doing and also draw inspiration from the good memories of my two previous wins at this course.
“Even though it was a lot cooler today and not energy-sapping like the previous two rounds, the wind was big enough a challenge to drain one mentally.
“My father has been following me on the course for the last two days. He’s come to the course after four or five years.
“So I’m looking forward to him being around in the final round too as family support is always comforting.”
Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha (72) was fifth on 9-under 207.
Also read: Home star Malik builds two-shot lead in Delhi-NCR Open at Noida GC
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