Mohd Azhar builds two-shot lead on Gujarat Open day three

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Mohd Azhar
With his putter running hot, Mohd Azhar of Vikarabad was able to extend hos Gujarat Open lead to two shots in Ahmedabad on Friday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Overnight leader Mohd Azhar held a two-shot lead on 9-under 135 after round three of the Gujarat Open at the Glade One Golf Resort & Club in Ahmedabad on Friday.

The Vikarabad golfer shot a steady 2 under 70 on Friday at the Rs 1 crore even, ahead of Karnal’s Mani Ram who had a 71 and second place on 7-under 137, the PGTI said.

The first two rounds of the event were played over nine holes each and the final two over 36 holes. The 9-hole course was played twice in round three with different pin positions.

Azhar (34-31-70), the overnight leader by one shot, continued his fine putting form on Friday to produce a solid 70.

The 24-year-old, who turned pro in 2020 and is searching for his maiden title, sank two mammoth putts from between 20 and 30 feet for birdies on the first nine.

Late blip

Armed with a hot putter, Azhar added two more birdies with eight to 10-foot conversions and just when he was looking at a second successive error-free round, Azhar double-bogeyed 18 with a poor tee shot and a three-putt.

Azhar said, “I had found my putting rhythm in round two. I just built on that today. I know I have a healthy lead but at the same time I can’t afford to get complacent in the last round.

“It’s now about keeping my nerves, placing it well off the tees and avoiding the rough as much as I can in the final round.”

Mani Ram (33-33-71), who struggled with his hitting on day three, still managed five birdies against four bogeys for his 71.

Chandigarh’s Jairaj Singh Sandhu (67) and Andorra’s Kevin Esteve Rigaill (70) were tied for third at six-under 138 after the penultimate round.

Former merit topper Manu Gandas and Rashid Khan were tied for ninth on 2-under 142, and defending champion Aman Raj was T29  on 2-over 146.

Ahmedabad’s Anshul Patel was the best-placed of the local golfers as he ended the day in tied 18th at even-par 144.

Scotland’s Harvey McDonald, the only amateur to make the cut, was tied 34th on 3-over 147.

Round 3 leaders

135: Mohd Azhar (34-31-70)

137: Mani Ram (33-33-71)

138: Jairaj Singh Sandhu (35-36-67); Kevin Esteve Rigaill (34-34-70)

Also read: Mohd Azhar goes 5-under for halfway lead at Gujarat Open

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