Chikkarangappa fired 66 in the third round of Charming Yeangder

Asian Tour Release

April 2, 2016: India’s rising star Chikkarangappa. S extended his bogey-free streak to 54-holes after signing for a six-under-par 66 to share the penultimate round lead with local hero Lin Wen-tang at the US$150,000 Charming Yeangder ADT on Saturday. 

Chikkarangappa, chasing for a third Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory and a first outside of India, fired six birdies to lead by two shots on 17-under-par 199 alongside Lin, who returned with a flawless 65, at the National Golf and Country Club. 

2014 ADT Order of Merit champion Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand matched Chikkarangappa’s efforts for the day to sit in third place on his own while compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai (65) and American Johannes Veerman (68) shared fourth on 203. 

Chikkarangappa was delighted to maintain his hot streak where he set a new personal record by not dropping a single shot after 54 holes. 

“I am really happy with this new record. It has been going really well for me. I hope I can continue the good run tomorrow. I am hitting it good and putting it good. It’s going to be another day for me. Hopefully I can have another big round again,” said the 22-year-old Indian.

“I really enjoyed playing with Lin. I learnt a lot from him. The weather was so good and I just had so much fun out there. Lin and I were playing shot by shot and we made birdies after birdies. It was a great experience playing alongside such an accomplished golfer like Lin,” added Chikkarangappa.

Lin, who opened his campaign with a 63, credited his hot putter for a flawless round which put him back on track for a third victory on the region’s burgeoning Tour.

“I told myself if I can shoot a 63 on the first day, I can definitely do it again. I headed out with a more relaxed mind today. I didn’t think too much. I focused shot by shot and I guess watching how Chikkarangappa play today helped too,” said the 41-year-old, a six-time Asian Tour winner.

“Putting was key for me today. I was able to putt better compared to yesterday. My brother, Hong, came out to support me too. It was a good motivation for me out there. I know I am in the running to qualify for the Olympics but I don’t want to think too much about it. I am just glad to be able to play well again,” added Lin, currently ranked 341^st in the world.

Pavit, a four-time ADT winner but not since 2014, took advantage of his sharp iron-play to stay close to the leaders.

“I hit the ball really good today. My iron-play was solid too. I missed only one green on sixth and I was able to hit it close today. I think I could have score lower if I hadn’t miss the short putts but I am satisfied with how I played.

“I was pretty consistent out there. I got off to a good start with a birdie on the first. That gave me some confidence and momentum heading into the round,” said the 26-year-old Thai, who had previously won an ADT title in Chinese Taipei.

The winner of the Charming Yeangder ADT will take home a prize purse of US$26,250 and receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, which is key for players vying to qualify for the Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro this August.

 For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com

 Leading third round results:

99 – LIN Wen-tang (TWN) 63 71 65, Chikkarangappa. S (IND) 68 65 66

201 – Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 69 66 66

203 – Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 71 67 65, Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 67 68 68

204 – WANG Ter-chang (TWN) 67 69 68, Greg MOSS (USA) 65 70 69

205 – Poom SAKSANSIN (THA) 69 70 66, James BYRNE (SCO) 65 68 72

206 – HSIEH Tung-shu (TPE) 69 68 69, Paul HARRIS (USA) 69 67 70

207 – HSIEH Chi-hsien (TWN) 71 67 69, Christopher CANNON (ENG) 69 68 70, YU Chun-an (A) (TWN) 68 68 71, Gavin GREEN (MAS) 71 70 66

208 – Brett MUNSON (USA) 68 70 70, HUANG Tao (TWN) 70 68 70, Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) 70 70 68, CHAN Shih-chang (TWN) 70 67 71