Rahil Gangjee opens up two-shot lead at Players Championship

By Rahul Banerji

Rahil Gangjee made the most of his venue familiarity to take the lead on day three of the Tata Steel PGTI Players Championship in Kolkata on Thursday.

Playing at his original hometown, Gangjee had the day’s joint low score of 6-under 64 to total 16-under 194 in round three of the Rs 1 crore event at the Tollygunge Club, the PGTI said.

Manu Gandas (65-67-64), the 2022 PGTI Ranking champion, overnight leader Arjun Prasad (62-65-69) and Saptak Talwar (66-65-65) were tied for second on 14-under 196 at the end of Moving Day.

Now Bangalore based, Gangjee (65-65-64), produced a second straight clean card to move up one place from overnight tied second, hitting a couple of extraordinary tee shots on two par-3s to set up short birdie putts.

The three-time international winner, also sank a two-putt from 45 feet for birdie on the seventh.

The 45-year-old Gangjee, who grew up playing at the Tollygunge Club, produced some good wedge work on the back nine to pocket three more birdies.

Those gained strokes also gave him the lead in search of a seventh career title and a first win in six years.

Rahil said, “The last three days have been solid and I’ve been trying to play the same every day, just carrying forward the momentum from each day.

“It’s important for the body to feel the same every day. If I can do that in the last round, I know I will have the least amount of stress.

Mixed blessing

“The disadvantage of playing at home is the added pressure of the crowd’s expectations as everyone wants to see you win. Of course, there are several advantages as well that I will look to capitalise on.

“I know this golf course at the back of my hand as I grew up here. I’ve hit thousands of shots here. I know where to miss it and where not to miss it.”

Gandas shot a matching 64 to gain seven spots and hold a share of second place.

Arjun Prasad, leader for the first two days, mixed five birdies and four bogeys in his 69 to drop one position on the leaderboard.

Talwar’s 65 featured a stretch of four consecutive birdies helped him climb three places.

Defending champion Sachin Baisoya (71) was tied 15^th on 9-under 201.

Round 3 leaders

194: Rahil Gangjee (65-65-64)

196: Manu Gandas (65-67-64); Saptak Talwar (66-65-65); Arjun Prasad (62-65-69)

Also read: Arjun Prasad stretches Players’ 36-hole lead to three shots