Order of Merit leader Yuvraj Sandhu on his way into the day three lead of the Poona Club Open on Thursday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
PGTI Order of Merit leader Yuvraj Sandhu (65-67-65) moved into the sole lead after the third round of the Rs 1 crore Poona Club Open on Thursday.
The tournament favourite came up with a fighting 6 under par 65, the day’s best in tough conditions following overnight rain to hold a two-shot lead on 16 under 197, the PGTI said.
Joint overnight leader Shaurya Bhattacharya (69-63-67) kept himself in contention with a 67 for second place on 14 under 199.
Former PGTI no. 1 Manu Gandas (67-69-66) was third after the penultimate round on 11 under 202.
Shivendra Singh Sisodia and Jairaj Singh Sandhu made up the top five in shared fourth place on 8 under 205.
The Poona Club Open 2025 is supported by the host venue, title sponsors Vencobb and NECC, and Ventive, SKS Fasteners, Elica, Marvel Realtors, Shubbaan Investments, DFMC, Automech and Kinetic.
Start of play on Thursday was delayed by two hours after overnight rain, finally getting under way at 10 am.
Reigning PGTI Order of Merit champion Veer Ahlawat held a share of sixth place on 7 under 206 while Rohan Dhole Patil was the best-placed of the local professionals at T20 on 2 under 211.
Early setback
Sandhu, a four-time winner this year, bogeyed the third hole but came roaring back with seven birdies over the next 12.
The 28-year-old rounded off the day with a bogey and a birdie on the last three holes.
Along the way, Yuvraj made two long birdie conversions, drove the green on the Par-4 ninth hole and scored birdies on all the three Par-5s.
“Overnight rain made the conditions tough out there. But since I’ve played a lot of golf in Asia in recent times, I’m accustomed to the wet conditions, so it worked to my advantage,” Sandhu said later.
“Despite the rain the greens are playing well. Kudos to the course staff for all the work that they’ve put in.
“The delayed start today gave me get a little extra sleep and that helped as well.
Steady day
“It was a steady day for me, after a little blip at the start I got my momentum back from the fifth hole onwards and held on to that momentum right till the end.
“Playing with Shaurya is fun because I’ve known him for a long time and seen him as an amateur and a rookie.
“We’ve been room-mates and have travelled to events together. I’m looking forward to playing the final round with him in the leader group.”
The 22-year-old Bhattacharya, fourth on the PGTI Ranking, also began the day with a bogey but rallied with five birdies thereafter.
Also read: Bhattacharya, Sandhu share halfway lead at Poona Club Open
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