Rahil Gangjee retains Panasonic lead

Report by Anand Datla

November 8, 2014: The Panasonic India Open took on a different hue, with the brilliant Shubhankar Sharma forcing his way up the order on Saturday. After an intensely engaging third round, Rahil Gangjee needed a birdie at the final hole to retain a one shot lead going into Sunday. Gangjee (66-68-71) was 11-under 205, just one better than four men who were all tied in second.

Rahil had made the turn in 35, but gave back the advantage almost immediately. He made a bogey at the 11th to fall back to even par for the round. But a fine approach on the 18th meant that Gangjee was staring an eagle in the eye before he settled for a birdie.

Shubhankar Sharma shoots 68 to challenge for the lead

Sharma was a revelation on Saturday. He raced through the back nine in just 33 shots to nearly snatch the lead ahead of the final round. Sharma’s 68 consisted of six birdies – three on either stretch – and two bogeys at the 3rd and 9th holes. He gained five spots on the leaderboard by virtue of the best round on the day.

Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman shot a 69 to join Sharma in a tie for second. His effort contained five birdies and two bogeys as he continued to build on his 67 that came in the second round.

Sri Lankan Mithun Perera was the third golfer at 10-under 206. Perera also shot a 69 and like Rahman, he too made five birdies and two bogeys for his score.

Wade Ormsby completed the group of golfers that were tied in second. The Aussie shot three birdies and a bogey in his card of 70 to get to 10-under through 54 holes.

Amateur Pratap Atwal slipped to seventh after managing to make only a 71. He was third after two rounds, but a double bogey at the 15th and a bogey at the 9th left him needing four birdies just to remain under par for the day. He is lying 7th at 8-under 208.

Rashid Khan was right behind Pratap in tenth place. Khan shot a 71 as well for a 54 hole score 7-under 209.