Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Feb 21: A late bogey was the only blemish in SSP Chowrasia’s card as the Indian golfer turned in a sedate two-under 69 on the third day to jump to a two-stroke lead over defending champion Siddikur Rahman after the penultimate round of the Hero Indian Open golf tournament, here Saturday.
Two-time European tour winner, Chowrasia picked up birdies at the first, second and 13th holes before dropping a shot for the first time in last three days at the 17th hole at the tricky Delhi Golf Course to take his total to 12-under 201.
Australia’s Marcus Frasar fired a flawless four-under 67 to lie at the third position with a total of seven-under 206. India-born swede Daniel Chopra blasted a six-under 65 – the best card of the day – to move to tied fourth, along with Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, who carded 69.
Anirban Lahiri had a roller-coaster day as he fired five birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey to turn in one-under. He was at tied sixth. Among other Indians, Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and S Chikkarangappa (all scored 68) shared the tied 21st spot with a total of 212.
At the top, it was a fight between two players who have always been comfortable with the DGC course. Adrift by one stroke, both Chowrasia and Siddikur started well, picking up a birdie each on the first hole.
But the Indian increased the gap further when he sank a birdie at the second. Both the golfers then parred the rest of the holes in the front nine as Chowrasia continued to lead by two strokes. The duo picked up a birdie each again at the 13th hole.
“It was a good round. I hit the ball close to the pin and had many birdie chances but I didn’t putt well. But I’m still happy as I am still two strokes ahead. I misjudged the speed while focusing on the line,” Chowrasia, the three-time runner-up of the Indian Open, said after the day’s play.
“I want to think and play positive on the final day. The final round is always special so I will play aggressively. You feel frustrated when you miss a good putt but it is good as long as it is inside. I will try to get a five-under tomorrow (Sunday),” he added.
