Gurugram, March 11, 2017: We are set for another incomplete round of golf in the Hero Indian Open. Inclement weather and the threat of lightning have meant that the golf this week has spilt over constantly. David Horsey took command with a stellar 66 in the first round of the 53rd edition. Since then though, the field has been chasing their own tails as they struggle to deal with the deviant course in Gurugram. Survival is the mantra this week, as the golfers struggle to cope with the questions posed by the Gary Player course at the DLF Golf & Country Club.
At the halfway mark of the third round there are two men tied for the lead. SSP Chawrasia made a rousing birdie at the ninth hole to tie Eddie Pepperell in the lead at 6-under. Gavin Green has forced his way to the top with six consecutive birdies. He is tied in third place with Carlos Pigem at 5-under, one short of the two men ahead of them. Peter Uihlein produced a bogey free 68 to emerge clubhouse leader at 1-under 215.
Gavin Green forces his way up
Green’s run of six birdies from the par-3 fifth hole is an unmatched effort this week. The focus has been on preservation as scarred warriors take a conservative approach to mitigate any serious damage to the card.
Danny Chia began the third round in a share of the lead. But a bruising quintuple bogey on the second and another double on the seventh set the Malaysian back a long way. Such has been the punishment meted out to golfers this week.
Meanwhile, Chawrasia is rolling on smoothly unaffected by the drama around him. Chia and Pepperell are both playing with the Indian in the third round. He produced a stellar approach at the fourth before making a spectacular birdie.
Chawrasia read the line to perfection, after reading the green from three different angles. The 15 foot putt broke just inches from the cup before sinking in quietly. At the ninth, Chawrasia missed a short putt for birdie. But today he made no mistake – after landing right by the pin, he sank the putt without fuss to retain a share of the lead.
The stage is set for a thrilling finish on Sunday, albeit late into the evening. As has been the case this week, several of the golfers will have to wake up early to complete the third round before they line up at the tee boxes for one last time.
