Bhullar tied 15th at Africa Open

February 15, 2014: India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar returned to form after disappointing Dubai Classic to move into the top-15 in the third round of the Africa Open on Saturday. Bhullar shot his third straight round in 60s to get to 11-under for three rounds after making the cut in the weather-hit event at the East London GC.

Bhullar, who had 67-67 on the first two days, added a 68 with six birdies and three bogeys.

On the first day, he had five birdies and one bogey, and in second round he had six birdies and two bogeys. While, Shiv Kapur could not make the halfway cut with rounds of 70-70.

Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo hit the front as a first bogey for 47 holes finally cost American John Hahn his place at the top of the leaderboard in the third round of the Africa Open.

Hahn shot a brilliant 61 in Friday’s second round at East London Golf Club to lie 16 under par, two shots ahead of the chasing pack, and he remained out in front thanks to birdies on the third and eighth.

However, two duffed shots on the 12th cost the 24 year old Qualifying School graduate a shot – his first bogey since the opening hole on Thursday – and meant Argentina’s Grillo took over the lead on 18 under par.

The 21-year-old Grillo, who eagled the 72nd hole to finish second in the recent Dubai Desert Classic, was putting together the best round of the day even though the previously defenceless course was finally being protected by a strengthening wind.

Grillo showered birdies at the third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth and he also picked up shots on the 12th and 13th to move seven under par for the day.

Grillo who turned pro in 2011, was  ninth and tenth in this event in the last two years, carded a brilliant third round of 62 at East London Golf Club to lie 20 under par, two shots clear of England’s Oliver Fisher.

American John Hahn had maintained his two shot overnight lead for much of the third round until Grillo picked up his sixth and seventh birdies of the day on the 12th and 13th.

Hahn then fell out of a share of the lead with his first bogey for 47 holes on the 12th and Grillo pressed home his advantage with further birdies at the 15th and 16th.

That looked like securing a commanding lead until Fisher played his final four holes in four under par for the second day in succession, a two putt birdie on the par five 15th followed by an eagle from six feet on the short 16th after his drive took a fortunate bounce through a greenside bunker.

A birdie on the last looked unlikely when his approach came up short of the green, but the 2011 Czech Open winner holed a long-range putt to complete a second 66 of the week.