Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur lead Dubai

Dec 20, 2014. Shiv Kapur and Arjun Atwal are tied at the top with two others at the Dubai Open with a ten under par 206. The two Indians have been displaying some solid golf picking up a number of birdies to score. Kapur, who started with two bogey picked up enough along the back nine to get a round of 69. Atwal on the other hand had six birdies to deliver a third round of 68.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, back from nursing an injury has shown a resurgence along the leaderboard too. During the third round Bhullar closed with a 69 taking his three round total to nine under par 207, to be tied fifth. The fourth Indian in the field is Dubai’s very own ambassador Jeev Milkha Singh who finished two under 214.

So the Indian duo Shiv Kapur and Arjun Atwal will step into the last day of the season at the inaugural Dubai Open holding the joint lead with South Africa’s Jbe Kruger and Korean teenager Wang Jeung-hun after an exhilarating third round on Saturday.

Power-packed Kruger also shot a 64, the week’s lowest, following a card that included the Dubai Open’s first hole-in-one and an eagle while 19-year-old Wang, who has not missed a single cut this season, shot a 68 to put himself in contention for a maiden Asian Tour victory.

“Yeah, it was a nightmare of a start. I didn’t really hit any poor shots and then actually holed about a 15-footer for par on the fourth hole to sort of keep the round going,” said the 32-year-old Kapur.

“But standing on the 10th tee, I just turned to Neeraj (his caddie) and said, “I need a back nine like the front nine I did at Muirfield. Let’s go out and play with that sort of attitude.” I’m happy with the way I fought back. There was a time where I could completely have thrown myself out of the tournament, so I’m tied for the lead, not too bad.”

Atwal, Asia’s number one in 2003, has not contended since becoming the first Indian to win on the PGA Tour in 2010 and reckons the hottest putter on Sunday will walk away with the Dubai Open crown. “It’s been a while,” said the seven-time Asian Tour winner. “Just make a lot of putts. Make a lot of birdies. It’s going to be fun tomorrow I think.”