Dhaka, 29-05-2015

Khalin Joshi leaps into contention with six-under-65 on day three, occupies second place

Om Prakash Chouhan and Amardip Sinh Malik also in top-10

India’s Khalin Joshi (71-68-65) shot a fiery six-under-65 to leap into contention in round three of the Asian Tour’s US$300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open on Friday. Joshi, who carded the day’s joint best score of 65, climbed from overnight tied seventh to second place as he totaled nine-under-204. He trailed the leader Mardan Mamat of Singapore by three shots.

Om Prakash Chouhan (69-73-66) in tied seventh at five-under-208 and Amardip Sinh Malik (67-74-68) in tied 10th at four-under-209 were the other two Indians in the top-10 at the end of the penultimate day at the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka.

The 22-year-old Joshi had an outstanding run of five birdies on the first 11 holes. However, he dropped consecutive bogeys on the 12th and 13th. The two-time winner on the PGTI came back strongly with a chip-in for eagle on the 14th before missing two short putts for birdie and par on holes 15 and 16 respectively. Two closing birdies hauled him into contention for a first Asian Tour title.
 
“I’m really excited because I’ve been waiting for this moment. Hopefully I get the better out of everybody else. I’ve put myself in position to win an Asian Tour title before but didn’t close it well. I’m playing well and I hope my putter holds up,” said Joshi.

Om Prakash Chouhan mixed seven birdies and two bogeys in his superb effort of 66 to move up from overnight tied 25th to tied seventh.

Amardip Sinh Malik also enjoyed a good outing on Friday as he returned a 68 to rise from overnight tied 14th to tied 10th.

Rahil Gangjee’s third round 67 moved him up to tied 15th at two-under-211.

Sujjan Singh and Chiragh Kumar were the other two Indians in the top-20 as both were tied 17th at one-under-212.

Himmat Singh Rai was a further shot behind in tied 25th. M Dharma, Manav Jaini and Shubhankar Sharma occupied tied 37th at two-over-215.

Among the other Indians in the field, Angad Cheema was tied 48th at three-over-216, Chikkarangappa was tied 54th at four-over-217, Abhinav Lohan was tied 60th at five-over-218, Sanjay Kumar was tied 64th at six-over-219 and Ajeetesh Sandhu was tied 69th at seven-over-220.
 
At the European Tour's Irish Open, the Indian trio of Anirban Lahiri (seven-over-149), Jeev Milkha Singh (12-over-154) and Shiv Kapur (14-over-156) missed the halfway cut of five-over-147.
 



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. Srinivasan H R (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.

For information on PGTI, please contact:

Nikhil Kalaan

Media Manager - PGTI

Mobile: 9910974846

Email: media@pgtofindia.com