Mardan Mamat extends his lead in third round as the fan pressure mounts – Golf news
Mardan Mamat of Singapore has been able to withstand the intense fan pressure from back home to maintain his lead in the third round of the inaugural Panasonic Open, being played at the Delhi Golf Course, New Delhi. Mamat posted a 3-under for 69 in the third
round, staying well clear of the fast approaching first round leader, Anirban Lahiri of India.
Mamat has won twice on the Asian Tour and is without a win for the last five years. With the final round closing in, the support and expectations of his countrymen is mounting and Mamat is more than determined to make it through. “I know everyone back home
is hoping that I play well and go on to win. I've been in this position so many times and I should be able to handle it on the final day,” said Mamat.
The 43-year-old Mamat is now 15-under for an aggregate score of 201, with three birdies on his front nine. Lahiri is three shots behind with 204, when he posted a 68 in the third round, and although he has got some work to do to catch up with Mamat, the
23-year-old Lahiri promised not to let his fans down.
Lahiri pulled in his first birdie at the 6th and went ahead to card three more in his back nine. “I shot a four-under with 33 putts at the Delhi Golf Club which is fantastic. I could have shot a better score but I’m not looking too far into that,”
said Lahiri. “I’m happy with the way I’m hitting the ball. I concentrated and focused well today and I’m looking forward to the final round tomorrow.”
Manav Jaini scored a 67 to be in the third place with 205 total. Jaini started off with a birdie on the first and carded no less than six birdies and just one bogey. He is now 11-under for 67. Jaini said that anything can happen on this course and if he
can play like he has played in the last two rounds, he can very well be the winner. India’s other talented golfers, Jyoti Randhawa, Himmat Rai and Mukesh Kumar are tied for the fourth place with 9-under each.
India’s sports minister, Shri Ajay Maken will be the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony on the final day of the $300,000 event. Three top players from the tournament will be invited to play at the Asia-Pacific panasonic Open, scheduled in September.
The Panasonic Open is the newest tournament to be played on the Indian soil on the Asian Tour.
The event, co-sanctioned by Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India is officially sponsored by the electronic giant, Panasonic. The four day tournament will be broadcasted to some 440 million homes across 40 different countries.
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