Ajay Baisoya takes two-shot lead

Edited by Anand Datla

January 22, 2015: Delhi’s Ajay Baisoya shot a four-under-68 to hold a two-shot lead in round three of the PGTI’s Final Qualifying Stage for the 2015 season being held at Eagleton – The Golf Resort near Bangalore. Baisoya’s three-day total stood at eight-under-208. Ravinder Tavel of Chandimandir, Haryana, and Sri Lankan Vijitha Bandara were tied second at six-under-210.

Ajay Baisoya (70-70-68), who was overnight tied second, made a slow start on Thursday as he bogeyed the first hole. Baisoya, however, recovered lost ground with two excellent chip shots that led to birdies on the seventh and ninth. The 24-year-old Ajay continued the good work on the back-nine as he picked up birdies on the 10th, 12th and 17th thanks to some good putting.

“While my hitting got me into a good position after the first two rounds, today it was my short-game that did the trick. I rolled in some long putts and also chipped well. I also recovered well from some tough positions to make good pars on the 11th and 18th. I’m looking to end the week with another good score and carrying this form into the new season,” said Baisoya.

Ravinder Tavel (69) and overnight leader Vijitha Bandara (71) were two shots off the lead in joint second place.  Udayan Mane of the Eagleton Golf Resort, Bangalore, shot the day’s best score of 67 to be placed fourth at four-under-212.

Trishul Chinappa, another Bangalorean, was a further shot behind in joint fifth along with round one leader Sudhir Sharma of Meerut and Delhi’s Anirudh Goyal.

Delhi golfer and two-time Indian Open champion Ali Sher made a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth during his round of 74. He was in tied 19th place at two-over-218.

Wilson Raj D Mello of Mumbai produced an unbelievable hole-in-one (albatross) on the par-4 17th courtesy a perfect drive. This was the second hole-in-one on the 17th in two days. Mani P of Bangalore, who missed the halfway cut, had earlier achieved the rare feat in round two. D Mello fired a 73 on Thursday to be tied 55th at eight-over-224.

At the end of round four on Friday, the top 37 players (+ ties) will earn full cards for the 2015 PGTI season.