Himmat Rai joins Shankar Das to lead at Aircel Players Championship of India
The third round of the Aircel Professional Golf Tour of India event of the Players Championship ended today at the challenging par-72 Chandigarh golf club. The overnight leader Shankar Das maintained his lead and is tied with the youngster Himmat Singh Rai
with a score of eight-under par. Gaganjeet Bhullar who was the joint leader after two rounds slipped to the third position and has a deficit of just one shot over the leaders.
Rai, plays at the Arnold Palmer designed, Delhi Golf Club and is yet to be victorious playing on the Indian Tour. The 23-year-old had a score of four-under par, 68 carding five birdies and a single bogey for the third round. His only bogey came on the short
par-4, 17th where his approach shot ended in the bunker due to which he failed to make a par. The Delhi golfer was confident that he will continue his superb form on the final day tomorrow to post his first victory. It was clearly seen on his card
that his hot putter favoured him completely on the third day, as his total three round aggregate score was eight-under par, 208.
The overnight leader Shankar Das of Kolkata Golf club maintained his lead, as he was joined by Rai after three days. Das did not have a good day, but his one-under par, 71 was enough for him to maintain the joint lead after three rounds. He was four-under
for his front nine, but the challenging long par-4, 15th troubled him again today where he lost two strokes. The 28-year-old had six birdies and had lost strokes on holes number 4, 15 and the finishing 18th. Still, Das after his modest
play on the third day was confident to win his first tournament this year.
Asian Tour member, Bhullar who was tied for the lead after two rounds, had to be content with the third position on the third day. His exquisite touch and class was clearing missing and his card clearly shows it. Bhullar had three birdies during his round,
but it was followed up by three bogeys. He lost strokes on holes number 5, 6 and 12th and was disappointed not to be leading the Championship. His total three day aggregate score is seven-under par, 209. Bhullar is hoping that he will get his momentum
back on the final day tomorrow to curb the challenge of his competitors.
Defending champion Mukesh Kumar and European Tour member Jeev Milkha Singh are tied at the fourth position. Both the experienced players have a three round score of six-under par, 210 and trail by just two strokes over the leaders. The hopes are high from
Singh that he will improve his position on the final day to lift the championship trophy and the winner’s cheque.
Fireworks are expected on the final day tomorrow with the two Asian Tour members among the top-5 on the leader board. Kumar will also be looking for his title defence this year.
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