Hyderabad, 28-02-2015

Shamim Khan takes control with a 64 in round three

Delhi’s Shamim Khan took a three-shot lead in round three of the Golconda Masters 2015 after he came up with a six-under-64 at the Hyderabad Golf Club on Saturday. Shamim thus took his three-day total to 15-under-195. Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh carded a four-under-66 to be placed second at 12-under-198.

Shamim Khan (63-68-64), who was overnight tied second, put himself in a great position to earn a second straight win on the PGTI after he posted a 64 that featured seven birdies and a bogey. Shamim, who won the last PGTI event played in Noida two weeks back, enjoyed a terrific day with the putter as he sank birdie putts from a range of 15 to 35 feet on the first, seventh, ninth and 18th. 

Shamim almost drove the green on the sixth to set up another birdie. He also capitalized on the par-5 11th by finding the green in two and making birdie. The three-putt on the 14th led to his only bogey of the day.

Shamim said, “In the previous rounds just one part of my game seemed to be clicking. But that was not the case today. All aspects of my game, be it hitting, putting or bunker shots, were sharp in round three. I recovered extremely well from the fairway bunkers on two occasions. The best birdie of the day was the 35-feet conversion on the ninth which was a very tough putt.

“I’m carrying the confidence from my win two weeks back. I won’t be looking at any number in the final round but will just go out there and play my own game. It would be great to win the first ever professional event to be staged in Hyderabad,” added Shamim.

Harendra Gupta (67-65-66), who was overnight tied fifth, moved up three places to second position as a result of his third round effort of 66 which featured seven birdies and three bogeys. Gupta had a golden run of five straight birdies from the seventh to the 11th.

Noida’s Amardip Sinh Malik (69-61-69), the overnight leader slipped to third place at 11-under-199 post his round of 69 on Saturday. Malik, who broke the course record with his 61 in round two, managed four birdies against three bogeys during round three.

Sri Lankan Anura Rohana occupied fourth place at 10-under-200 while Bangalore’s Chikkarangappa was a further two shots back in fifth position.

Gaganjeet Bhullar moved up from his overnight tied 22nd to tied 14th at three-under-207 courtesy his third round of 69.

Kolkata’s Shankar Das, the 2014 Rolex Rankings champion, also shot a 69 to join Bhullar in tied 14th position.