By Rahul Banerji
Delhi golfer Shamim Khan set up a title shot, opening up a two-shot lead on 11-under-205 after round three of the Rs 40 lakh Kensville Open 2019 at the Kensville Golf & Country Club near Ahmedabad on Saturday.
The veteran struck a steady 1-under-71 in windy conditions to stay atop the leader-board for the third day running.
Pune-based Udayan Mane, a Tour winner earlier this year also carded a 71 to move into tied second place on 9-under-207 alongside overnight joint leader Sunit Chowrasia, who had a 73 on Saturday.
Shamim Khan (66-68-71) took the sole lead after a determined effort in tough conditions. The 14-time winner on the Tata Steel PGTI made a couple of quality chip-putts for par on the front nine before his first birdie of the day with a 35-foot conversion on the 11th hole.
Khan then set-up a tap-in birdie on the 15th but dropped a shot on the very next hole after finding the bunker. It was the only blemish on his card
‘Percentage golf’
The 41-year-old said later, “I played percentage golf today. The wind made it difficult to score birdies but I was in control of my round thanks to some good hitting.
“A couple of accurate chip shots on the front-nine made sure that I did not leave myself any tough par saves.
“It’s not been the best of seasons as per my standards so I’m looking to turn the tide with a win now,” added Khan, who won his last title a year ago.
Mane (69-67-71) also made two birdies and a bogey on the day. Mane and Shamim are among only five players to have shot three sub-par rounds so far this week.
Udayan’s resolute effort saw him find 13 out of 14 fairways and 17 greens in regulation out of 18 though he struggled with the putter, needing 35 putts in all.
The 28-year-old Mane, said, “I created a number of chances with my hitting but it was a day of missed opportunities on the greens. A better putting performance on the final day will definitely put me in contention.”
Forgettable day
Chowrasia (67-67-73) too had a forgettable day with the putter, following two brilliant rounds of 67. Sunit, the nephew of Indian golf legend S.S.P. Chawrasia, mixed three birdies with four bogeys on a day he made three three-putts.
The 25-year-old, searching for his maiden title, also made his third chip-in of the week, for par on the 13th.
Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah fired four straight birdies during his round of 70 that placed him tied fourth at 6-under-210 along with Delhi’s Arjun Prasad who turned in a card of 74 on Saturday.
Chennai youngster Shivnaren Srinivasan shot the third day’s best score of 4-under-68 to move into tied ninth place on 3-under-213.
Ahmedabad-based amateur Jay Pandya closed the day in tied 26th at one-over-217.
On day two, Chowrasia and Shamim had ended level on 10-under-134s.
The cut fell at 2-over-146 with 50 professionals and two amateurs making the grade.
PGTI Order of Merit leader Rashid Khan of Delhi missed the cut on 3-over-147.
Also read: Veer Ahlawat battles his way to maiden PGTI title in Digboi
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