Noida, 19-04-2018
Shamim Khan's 65 catapults him into the lead in round three of Paramount GolfForeste Delhi – NCR Open Golf Championship 2018
Delhi’s Shamim Khan, the 2017 PGTI Order of Merit champion, shot a scorching seven-under-65 that catapulted him into the lead in round three of the inaugural Paramount GolfForeste Delhi – NCR Open Golf Championship 2018.
Shamim’s 65, the day’s best score, took his total to 10-under-206 at the Noida Golf Course thus giving him a one-shot advantage ahead of the final round.
There was a three-way tie for second place between Delhi’s Honey Baisoya (68), Om Prakash Chouhan (70) of Mhow and Kolkata’s Shankar Das (69) at nine-under-207.
Shamim Khan (69-72-65), lying overnight tied eighth, gained seven spots on day three thanks to his much improved putting. Khan, a winner of 15 professional titles, recently changed his putter and the results were there to see as he made a number of putts from a range of eight to 12 feet during his third round of 65 that featured eight birdies and a bogey.
The 39-year-old Shamim who signed off round three with a birdie on the last hole is currently in sixth place on the PGTI Order of Merit as a result of four top-10s from six starts. In round four, he will look to capitalize on his enviable record at the Noida Golf Course, a venue where he has registered two wins in the past.
Shamim said, “The change in putter has really improved my putting average since last week’s event in Pune. Prior to that, I wasn’t converting as my putts as I would’ve liked. My hitting has been quite consistent for a long while though.
“My game began to get back on track in the last two rounds in Pune when I closed the week with a five-under and a four-under. I’m now happy to be in contention at one of my favourite venues once again.”
Honey Baisoya began the day with a chip-in for eagle on the first. He then went on to add another eagle on the 17th along with three birdies and three bogeys for a round of 68. Baisoya, the current PGTI Order of Merit leader and a two-time winner at Noida Golf Course, thus jumped up two positions to tied second.
Round two joint leader Om Prakash Chouhan and Shankar Das, who was overnight third, both made promising starts with three birdies on the first four holes. However, Chouhan and Das ended the day with scores of 70 and 69 respectively, to be placed tied second.
Ramesh Kumar of Faridabad was in fifth place at eight-under-208 after a third round effort of 68.
Chandigarh’s Karandeep Kochhar, the joint round two leader, dropped to tied eighth after a 74 that moved his total to five-under-211.
Simarjeet Singh, the only amateur to make the cut, was the best-placed among the golfers from Noida as he occupied tied 15th place at two-under-214.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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