Day three leader Yuvraj Sandhu of Chandigarh plays an approach shot before an appreciative gallery during his third round at The Tollygunge Club on Thursday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Overnight leader Yuvraj Sandhu shot a 2 under par 68 on Moving Day to retain a one-stroke advantage on day three of the Tata Steel PGTI Players Championship presented by The Tollygunge Club on Thursday.
Sandhu (63-61-68), a past winner at the venue was on a three-day total of 18 under 192 to continue in the lead for the third consecutive day at the Rs 1 crore season-opener, the PGTI said.
Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain (65-62-66), coming off a standout season last year, narrowed the gap with the leader with a 66 on Thursday to total 17 under 193.
Rahil Gangjee (63-67-66) of Bangalore, playing on a course he spent most of his childhood, struck a 66 to hold third place on 14 under 196.
Two-time Indian Open winner S.S.P. Chawrasia (71) was the best-placed among the Kolkata professionals as he ended the day in tied 14th on 9 under 201.
Kolkata’s Anshul Mishra, the only amateur to make the cut, carded a 69 to be tied 20th at 7 under 203.
Rough start
The overnight leader by three shots, Sandhu endured a torrid start, dropping shots on his first two holes.
The Chandigarh golfer, who holds the record for the lowest winning total at the Tolly, then got his round back on track with some consistent hitting and a couple of good up and downs to pick up four birdies.
The putts didn’t roll in for the 27-year-old Sandhu on Thursday as he missed multiple birdie conversions from within four to eight feet.
“It wasn’t a nervous start, I would say, but just a result of some wrong club selections,” Sandhu said.
“I got a wakeup call when Jamal tied with me for the lead. I did manage to get my act together soon but it was one of those days when the putts just didn’t roll in for me. However, I’m glad it happened on the third day and not tomorrow
“I’m quite pleased with my hitting and looking at continuing the good rhythm into the final day. I just hope my putter treats me kindly come the last round.”
Hossain, also a former winner at Tollygunge, came up with five birdies and a bogey on Thursday to keep himself in the hunt though he missed a chip-in for birdie on the last hole by a whisker.
Last year’s champion Manu Gandas (65) closed in tied 20th on 7 under 203.
Also read: Yuvraj Sandhu storms into Tolly lead courtesy an event-low 61
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