S Chikkarangappa is on the verge of his first victory this season as he fired a five-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead at the end of the third round of the Surya Nepal Masters, here today.
After the third round, Chikka was sitting pretty at 15-under 201 for the tournament.
This edition of the Surya Nepal Masters has brought the youth brigade to the fore with four amongst the top seven on the leaderboard.
On a day of fluctuating fortunes, Abhinav Lohan brought in the best card of the day, even as overnight leader Shamim Khan and opening round leader Angad Cheema shot an identical one-over par 73 to slip to the tied-fifth and seventh positions, respectively at 10-under 206.
Feroz Ali Mollah showed some vintage form as he had seven birdies and an eagle in his 66 and he was be tied with Shankar Das for the third position at 11-under 205.
Abhijit Singh Chadha was tied with Shamim, while Shivaram Shrestha emerged as the best Nepali professional after submitting a card of three-under 69 to be in the eighth position with a 54-hole tally of eight-under par 208.
Sanjay Lama was the next best at six-under 210 and was tied for the 11th position. Umesh Nagarkoti shot a four-under 68 to catapult into the top-15 and be tied with four others.
Amongst the amateurs, Bikash Bogati slipped to the tied 46th position after a six-over round, while Sanjeev CK was in the 51st position. Both the amateurs had made the professional cut, a rarity on any Tour.
