Colombo, 18-04-2013
Local favourite Mithun Perera storms into lead at Sri Lanka Ports Authority Open 2013
Local favourite Mithun Perera shot a brilliant seven-under-64 to open up a three shot advantage in round three of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Open 2013 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. Colombo-based Perera now has a total score of 13-under-200. Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah is placed second with a total of 10-under-203.
Mithun Perera (69-67-64), who shot a bogey-free round on Thursday, hit a purple patch with three consecutive birdies from the fifth through the seventh and thus made the turn at three-under. On the back nine, Mithun had another golden run of three consecutive birdies from the 10th through the 12th. The three-time winner on the PGTI made his last birdie of the day on the 17th to end up with a blemish-free round of 64.
“It was great to have a bogey-free round today. A seven-under- 64 is obviously a good score, but it could have been better as I had a few near misses. The course is in really good condition and greens are playing better than previous rounds. I think ‘local knowledge’ helped me a lot, particularly with the speed of the greens. I hope I can continue to exploit the local conditions and capitalize on the three-shot lead,” said Perera, who climbed from overnight tied sixth to the top of the leaderboard.
Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (70-64-69) stayed within striking distance of Mithun with a two-under-69 that gave him a cumulative score of 10-under. Zamal started with a bogey on the first but then birdied holes 4, 5, 7, 10 and 11. Back-to-back bogeys on 14, 16 and 17 pushed him back but he sank another close putt on 18th to finish his round with a birdie.
Overnight leader Anura Rohana had a tough day on the greens and came up with a one-over-72 to lie in third place at nine-under-204. “My hitting was decent but putting let me down. I could not convert some close putts and was a little unfortunate on the eighth where my 20-foot putt came to rest on the edge of the hole. I hope for the best tomorrow,” said Anura.
Rashid Khan and Chiragh Kumar were the highest-ranked Indians after round three. Both the golfers are five shots behind the leader at eight-under-205 in tied fourth.
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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