Jaipur, Oct 14 (Golf news) Bengaluru's M Dharma held on to the lead on the third day of the Jaipur Open golf tournament, carding a five-under 65 here on Thursday.
The two-time PGTI winner (62-62-65), who was the overnight leader by three shots, ended day three with a two-shot lead, moving his total to 21-under 189.
His good friend and regular practice partner, Khalin Joshi (61-66-64) moved from overnight tied second to sole second at 19-under 191 following his 64 in round three.
Dharma and Khalin, both belonging to the same course, the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA), have stamped their authority here this week as both have been placed inside the top-3 on the first three days of the event.
Veer Ahlawat (67) and Harendra Gupta (67) are currently placed third at 16-under 194 and fourth at 15-under 195 respectively.
Dharma, looking for his first title in four years, missed a few short birdie putts early on and then dropped a bogey on the fourth after finding the bunker.
He finally got into his stride with a great tee shot on the sixth that left him a four-feet birdie conversion.
Thereafter, Dharma added five more birdies.
"After a poor start, it was the excellent tee shot on the fourth that got me back in my rhythm. I enjoy playing at the RGC as it is a shorter course and thus suits my game since my wedge-play is very strong," Dharma said.
Joshi, searching for his first win in three years, went bogey-free for the first time this week.
His six birdies were complemented by two outstanding par-saves from a distance of 12 to 20 feet on the eighth and 16th.
Sunit Chowrasia shot the day’s best score of 63 to be placed tied fifth at 14-under 196 along with PGTI Order of Merit leader Karandeep Kochhar (67) and last week’s winner Viraj Madappa (68).
Olympian Udayan Mane (68) was tied 12th at 11-under 199.
Hemendra Choudhary (66-70-68), playing at his home course, was tied 31st at six-under 204.
Also Read : Dharma dominates round 2 with second straight 62, opens 3-shot lead
News Source : PTI
