Kolkata's Shankar Das carded a three-under 69 to maintain his lead in round three of the BILT Open at the Delhi Golf Club, here today.
Das (69-66-69), the overnight leader by one shot, continued his clinical run in the penultimate round, which included five birdies and two bogeys, in the fifth PGTI Super Series event of the season.
Das' three-day total read 12-under-204, while Sri Lankan Anura Rohana fired an error-free 68 to be one off the lead in second place in the Rupees one-crore event.
The 31-year-old Shankar, a four-time winner on the PGTI, was quick off the blocks today as he collected four birdies on the first eight holes.
Das said, "I started really well today as I was four-under after eight holes. However, my strongest club, the 3-wood, let me down on the ninth and 18th. A one-shot lead doesn't count for much at the DGC so I'll have to be at my best in the final round in order to have a chance of winning. My target in the final round will be a score of around three-under to four-under. I've had three top-5s this year and now I'm eager to win as I last won over a year back. I've been working a lot on my physical fitness and that has helped my game this year."
Rohana (67-70-68) climbed from overnight third to second place after his bogey-free round of 68 on day three. The 41-year-old Rohana, a two-time winner on the PGTI, made brilliant up and downs for birdies on the first and eighth before draining a 10-footer for his third birdie on the 13th. Anura finally missed an eagle by a whisker from 15 feet on the 18th and had to settle for his fourth birdie of the day.
Rohana said, "I didn't make any bogeys today but missed some short birdie putts. I'm quite pleased with the effort today as it keeps me in the hunt. Besides Shankar, Rashid and Chiragh will also be tough contenders in the final round as they are playing on their home course. I'll need a good start on day four to mount a serious challenge."
Delhi golfers Rashid Khan and Chiragh Kumar continue to be in contention as they occupy tied third place at eight-under-208. While defending champion Rashid shot a 68 on day three, Chiragh, a former BILT Open champion, carded a 69.
Bangalore's Chikkarangappa and Sanjay Kumar of Lucknow are in tied fifth at seven-under-209.
