Noida, 18-04-2019
Chikkarangappa produces day's best, storms into joint third round lead along with C Muniyappa at Delhi-NCR Open 2019
Chikkarangappa produced the day’s best score of five-under-67 to storm into the joint lead at 13-under-203 along with fellow Bengalurean and good friend C Muniyappa (68) in round three of the TATA Steel PGTI’s Delhi-NCR Open 2019 being played at the Noida Golf Course (NGC).
Chikkarangappa (67-69-67), who bagged two titles on the PGTI over the past six months, moved up two positions from his overnight third place while former Indian Open champion Muniyappa (66-69-68) held on to the joint lead for the second day in succession at the Rs. 30 lakh event.
Delhi’s Shamim Khan, the joint halfway leader, as well as Kolkata’s Shankar Das were in tied third, three shots adrift of the lead.
Gaurav Pratap Singh (68) was the highest-placed Noida golfer at the end of day three as he occupied tied sixth place at six-under-210.
After two days of overcast conditions and brief spells of dust storm and rain, the NGC witnessed perfect golfing conditions on Thursday as there was bright sunshine, pleasant weather and a cool breeze that swept across the course.
Chikkarangappa, lying one off the lead at the halfway stage, got off to a terrific start in round three as he birdied the first two holes. After a bogey on the third, the two-time winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), got his round back on track with two more birdies on the fourth and sixth.
The 25-year-old Chikka had another blip on the 11th where he found the trees and as a result dropped a bogey. However, the 11-time winner on the PGTI, came roaring back with a 25-feet eagle conversion on the 14th and an impressive two-putt birdie on the par-5 17th.
Chikka said, “I started well today as I hit some good tee shots, landed it close to the holes and made my putts on the front-nine. Then somehow I felt that I lost some momentum and energy from the eighth to the 12th.
“At that point I told my caddie that I had to pick up at least three more birdies in the round. As it turned out, I earned an eagle and a birdie and thus achieved my target of gaining three shots.
“I’ve been in good form for some time now as every aspect of my game has been shaping up well since late last year. I’m also happy to see Muniyappa playing some solid golf. It’ll be a great contest tomorrow as both of us play a lot of practice rounds together back home in Bengaluru.”
C Muniyappa, who has not won a title since his memorable Indian Open triumph in 2009, benefitted from a hot putter for the second day running as he knocked in four birdies from a distance of 10 to 25 feet.
The 42-year-old Muniyappa, who made a solitary bogey during his round, finished the day on a high as he landed his bunker shot within a foot of the pin for birdie on the 17th. Muniyappa, a winner of two titles, also made an outstanding par save on the 18th where he landed his third shot from 130 yards to a distance of one foot from the flag once again.
Muniyappa said, “It’s good to be in the final day leadergroup after a long time. I’m very confident of my putting at the moment especially the long putts. That definitely gives me a good chance in the final round. I’ve waited very long for a win so I need to grab all the opportunities that come my way in round four.
“I look forward to playing alongside with my good friend Chikka for the second straight day. We’ve played a lot of golf together so there will be a healthy rivalry on the course.”
Shamim Khan dropped from the overnight joint lead to tied third after firing a 71 that took his total to 10-under-206. Shankar Das carded a 68 to also take a share of third place.
Delhi’s Harshjeet Singh Sethie, the only amateur to make the cut, was placed tied 39th at two-over-218.
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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