Jakarta, Indonesia, 26-04-2014
Four Indians in top-10 in Indonesia
Lahiri leads Indian charge in round three with a 64
Indians had an outstanding third round at the US$750,000 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters as four of them closed the day in the top-10. India’s Anirban Lahiri displayed the qualities that made him a EurAsia Cup hero when he fired a flawless 64 to compile a three-day total of 13-under-203. He trailed the leader Australian rookie Cameron Smith by one in second place, while compatriot Rashid Khan was equally impressive as he also matched Lahiri’s effort with a 64 to take third place at 12-under-204.
Lahiri, a three-time Asian Tour winner, could be on the verge of landing his first title outside of India after he posted the day’s lowest score together with Khan.
“It was a relief for me to actually play the kind of round that I did back home at the Delhi Golf Club. I’ve been playing very well and it’s nice to finally see it reflecting on the leaderboard,” said Lahiri.
Lahiri, who played a key role in Team Asia’s epic 10-10 draw with Team Europe at the EurAsia Cup last month, continued to impress when he got off the starting tee quickly with birdies on holes two, five, six and nine for an outward 32.
He further asserted himself with three successive birdies starting from the par-four 10th and would complete a sensational round by closing with another birdie on 18.
“I’m just glad I have put myself in a good position going into the final round as I am obviously looking to break into the top 100 on the world rankings so that I can get into the bigger events,” said Lahiri, who is currently ranked 102nd on the Official World Golf Ranking.
“I’m hitting the ball good. I don’t have to do anything different tomorrow. If I can just keep hitting the fairways and greens tomorrow like how I did today, that would help. I am confident with how I am playing right now,” added Lahiri.
Still riding high on confidence following his career breakthrough at the Asian Tour season-opening event in India, Khan was equally impressive as he marked his card with seven birdies, an eagle and one bogey.
“This is my third tournament on the Asian Tour and it really gives you a good boost when you’ve won a tournament. Everything looks easy after that win but you still have to score well to win a tournament,” said Khan.
After two rounds of matching 70s, Khan found the greens too quick for his liking and returned to the putting green for practice which eventually paid off.
“I didn’t really expect to post such a good score today as I’ve been struggling with the fast greens here. But I managed to hole putts today and got comfortable with the greens as I’ve been practicing on the putting green,” said Khan.
SSP Chowrasia (10-under-206) in tied fifth and Jyoti Randhawa (nine-under-207) in tied eighth were the other two Indians in the top-10. Chowrasia turned in a card of 69 on Saturday while Randhawa posted a 67 to rise eight spots from overnight tied 16th.
Rahil Gangjee is in joint 24th (212), Arjun Atwal is tied 50th (217) and Sujjan Singh lies tied 64th (222).
At the European Tour's Volvo China Open in Shenzhen, Gaganjeet Bhullar, the lone Indian to make the cut, shot a 73 in round three to be placed tied 42nd at two-under-214. He trails the leader Frenchman Alexander Levy by 14 shots.
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