Thangaraja pulls away with five-shot lead at Ahmedabad Open

Day three Ahmedabad Open leader N. Thangaraja of Sri Lanka hits a drive at the Kensville Golf and Country Resort on Thursday. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Day one leader N. Thangaraja returned to the top of the Ahmedabad Open presented by IndusInd Bank by an imposing five-stroke margin going into the final day with a rock-steady display at the Kensville Golf and Country Resort on Thursday.

The experienced Sri Lankan fired a gritty 3 under par 69 to total 9 under 207, five shots up the road from a two-way tie for second place between day two leader Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh and Mysore’s Yashas Chandra M.S. on 4 under 212, the PGTI said.

Thangaraja, a four-time PGTI winner, made the most of his good form with the putter on a day many others faltered on Kensville’s greens to head into the final day of the Rs 1 crore event sitting on a lead made bigger by the paucity of low scores around him.

The 43-year-old (65-73-69), who also led after the first round, saw Gupta’s challenge come apart on Moving day as the Chandigarh golfer returned a 3 over 75 to follow earlier scores of 70 and 67.

Chandra (72-70-70), the only player to have not returned an over-par score in the tournament so far, came up with a second straight 70 to gain one spot and join Gupta.

Ahmedabad Open final live from 9 am at: https://www.youtube.com/live/JBA5TUMA7pM?si=f9UeMNdnxGDB5zWZ

Ahmedabad’s Varun Parikh (73-73-69) was in tied fifth place on 1 under 215 along with Ankur Chadha (71-74-70) of Delhi, one stroke behind fourth-placed Michele Ortolani of Italy (68-74-72)

Former PGTI Order of Merit winner Manu Gandas of Gurgaon carded the day’s best of 67 to share 10^th place on 2 over 218.

Thangaraja, who had an off day with the putter in round two, made four birdies all of which came as a result of conversions from six feet against one dropped shot.

“I made 16 greens in regulation today, landed it close consistently and sank most putts,” Thangaraja said later. “I’m glad I was able to regain putting form just before the all-important final round.

“My ability to play the low shot well helped me a lot in the windy conditions here at Kensville. The low shot always gives an advantage of about five to six yards when playing in the wind. I’m now keen to get back to winning ways.”

Chandra made three birdies and a bogey on the day while Gupta conceded three shots in his 75.

Also read: Chandigarh’s Gupta is halfway leader at Ahmedabad Open