Chikka retains three shot lead

Edited by Anand Datla

April 09, 2015: Bangalore’s Chikkarangappa S holds a three-shot advantage going into the final round of the PGTI Players Championship presented by Kensville Golf & Country Club. Chikkarangappa shot a brave two-over-74 in tough conditions during round three to continue as the top contender for the title with a total score of nine-under-207. Sanjay Kumar was placed second at six-under-210 as a result of his third round effort of one-under-71.

Chikkarangappa (69-64-74), the overnight leader by five shots, conceded three early bogeys on the third, fourth and fifth as strong winds that swept across the course had an impact on his game. Chikka’s iron shots didn’t land where he intended them to and he also missed a few up and downs on this stretch.

Chikka, who set the course record with his 64 on day two, had a far better back-nine as he sank birdies on the 12th and 17th against a lone bogey on the 14th. The 21-year-old drained a 12-footer on the 12th and chipped it within a few inches of the hole for a tap-in on the 17th. His bogey on the 14th was the result of an erratic tee shot and a three-putt.

“After the three bogeys on the front-nine, I thought I should just try to make fairways and regulations. The blustery conditions made it difficult to get the yardages right. It was also not easy to play aggressively as the wind affected the putting as well. Nonetheless, considering the start I had, I’m pretty satisfied with the score I ended up with,” said Chikka, who won an event on the Asian Development Tour last season.

He added, “I’ll be looking to get a good start in the final round to set myself up for the title.”

Sanjay Kumar (71-68-71) occupied second place after his four birdies and three bogeys on day three. He thus moved up one place from his overnight joint third position.

Sanjay said, “I had a steady round on Thursday that kept me in contention for the title. I’ll need to create chances early on in round four in order to challenge Chikka who is playing really well at the moment.”

Feroz Singh Garewal (71-67-73) of Chandigarh dropped from overnight second to third after his round of 73. The 17-year-old rookie made four birdies and five bogeys in his third round that took his total to five-under-211. Feroz, who gave his 12th board exams last month, sank two long birdie putts on the second and ninth and landed his approach shots within a foot for birdies on the 12th and 15th.

Bangladesh golfer Md Zamal Hossain Mollah’s three-under-69 was the best score of day three and it placed him tied fourth at three-under-213 along with Bangalore’s Udayan Mane who carded an even-par-72.

Kolkata’s Feroz Ali Mollah and Gurgaon-based Shubhankar Sharma were a further shot back in tied sixth.

Asian Tour regulars Rahil Gangjee (one-over-217) of Kolkata, Himmat Singh Rai (11-over-227) of the DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon, and Delhi’s Rashid Khan (16-over-232) were placed tied 11th, tied 47th and 51st respectively.