Amardip Malik stretches lead to four

Report by Anand Datla

December 11, 2014: The Noida Golf Course continued to remain a mystery for most of the contingent for a third day running. After a dozen men broke par on the first day, nine remained in the red after the second round. Going into the final round, there are now only six men still under par, with overnight leader Amardip Malik stretching his lead over Mukesh Kumar to four shots. Malik scored a 70 in the Noida Masters on Thursday to draw away from the second placed Mukesh. (Latest Golf News)

There are three men tied in third at two under 214, three shots behind Mukesh. Vikrant Chopra, Zamal Mollah and Kapil Kumar scored 73, 73 and 70 respectively to slot themselves behind the two men in front.

Ajeetesh Sandhu is the only other golfer still under par after three rounds. Sandhu was lying sixth after an even 72 on Thursday. He sandwiched two birdies between bogeys at the 1st and 17th holes to end his round without any damage.

But it was Malik again who took his chances in turning out yet another solid performance. Amardip made three birdies on either side of his walk around the club to stretch his lead and consolidate his grip on the lead. He is the only golfer this week to have gone under par in each of the three rounds, currently lying at 9-under 207.

Mukesh has been struggling to discover the rhythm that helped him into a four shot lead on the opening day. He was three under for the day through eleven holes, but four bogeys in six holes from there set him back yet again. Mukesh is lying second at five under 211.

Chikkarangappa, who shot 71 in the first two rounds, slumped to a 74 to join a group of three men lying in joint seventh after 54 holes. The golfer from Bengaluru was one under through ten holes, but a double bogey at the 16th and another bogey at the 18th saw him sign on a 74 in the third round.

Rashid Khan was a further two shots behind in T15 after finally breaking par. Khan made 74 and 73 in the first two rounds, but a much better effort on Thursday saw him climb to two over with 18 holes left to play.