Rahil Gangjee takes charge in Cochin

Rahil Gangjee and Mukesh Kumar gain a one shot lead at the Cochin Masters

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Rahil Gangjee and Mukesh Kumar gain a one shot lead at the Cochin Masters

 

Report by Anand Datla

 

March 06, 2015: On an eventful day in Cochin, Rahil Gangjee and Mukesh Kumar took centrestage with fine performances to snatch the lead from defending champion Shubhankar Sharma. The 37 year old Gangjee, playing only his first PGTI Tour event this season, produced a memorable 7-under 65 to take charge of the leader board with a stylish effort in the third round. Kumar shot a 66 to join Gangjee in the lead at 8-under through 54 holes. Sharma has looked solid through the first two days, but failed to get it going today as he slipped to fifth after making a 73 on Friday.

 

Anura Rohana impressed with a brilliant 64 that helped him climb eleven spots to tied third at 8-under 209. The Lankan was error free on the day, producing three birdies each way besides an eagle at the par-5 16th hole.

 

The only other card that was blemish free came from Kumar, who shot his 66 with six birdies, four of which came on the back nine. The 49 year old proved there is life in the old dog with a terrific effort in the third round. Mukesh surged into the lead with a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th to climb to 8-under.

 

Meanwhile, Gangjee was looking set to enter the final day in the lead, before suffering his first bogey of the round at the par-4 18th hole. The two golfers hold a one shot lead over Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anura Rohana.

 

Bhullar, who like Mukesh has remained under par in each of the three rounds, shot a 69 to position himself for a final round assault. Gaganjeet and Mukesh are the only men to have gone under par in all three rounds this week.

 

Shubhankar suffered three bogeys in four holes starting from the fourth and never quite recovered. But at 6-under 210 he will have a fair chance on Saturday to try and make a low score to try and defend his crown.

 

After making even par 72 in the first two rounds, S Chikkarangappa seemed to have finally got his show going, making a 69 in the third round to get inside the top 10.

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