Anirban Lahiri 2nd in Macau Open

Report by Anand Datla

October 25, 2014: Indians continued to flourish at the Venetian Macau Open. Anirban Lahiri produced a much improved performance in the third round of the tournament to climb to second leading into the final round at 12-under 201. The Indian shot a fine 67 on Saturday to set himself up for an assault on the title. Scott Hend continued to lead by two, after he also made a 67 in the third round. Incidentally, Shiv Kapur also made a 67 to push himself inside the top 10 at 6-under 207.

Jyoti Randhawa was one behind Kapur at 5-under 208, after he made a 68 on Saturday. SSP Chowrasia made a second straight 73 as he slipped to T28 at 1-under 212. Jeev Milkha Singh was a further shot behind in T37.

Lahiri had a clean day after making four birdies – three on the front and one on the back as he recovered from a disappointing 73 in the second round. Anirban made birdies at the 1st, 6th and 9th holes to make the turn in 32. He made another birdie on the 17th at end the day with a score of four under for the round.

Kapur’s was a far more colourful effort – interspersed with seven birdies and three bogeys in an action packed round on Saturday. Kapur raced through the front nine in just 30 shots, but was impeded by three bogeys in four holes immediately after the turn.

Randhawa’s was a similar effort to Kapur. Jyoti made five birdies and a bogey on the front nine for a 31, but signed off with a 37 to end the day with a 68. Chowrasia made five bogeys in his round of 73, his second straight to offset the good work he made in the first round. The Kolkata golfer had strung together a 66 on Thursday.

Milkha Singh also had a similar tale to narrate. He too made five bogeys and three birdies for his 73. Overnight leader Hend also had an eventful day on the coure – the Aussie made seven birdies and three bogeys to score a 67.

The best effort of the round was made by Prom Meesawat. The Thai golfer struck seven birdies in a crispy clean effort, signing off with a magnificent 64 to jump into third with the low round of the day.