Aman Raj surprises, leads Day 3

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 14

Patna's Aman Raj took away the top slot of the leader's board on the penultimate day of the ongoing TAKE Open Golf Championship, at the Chandigarh Club, here today. 

Raj seized the initiative with the day's best score of five-under-67 to lead the chart by one shot at nine-under-207. The Chandigarh duo of Akshay Sharma, at eight-under-208, and Shubhankar Sharma, at seven-under-209, ended chasing the leader at the second and third positions, respectively.

Another emerging local star, 18-year-old rookie, Karandeep Kochhar occupied tied fourth place at six-under-210 along with Gurugram's Veer Ahlawat. Raj (73-67-67), helped by advice from his father Shashi Raj Sinha, a former professional himself, climbed to the top with successive rounds of 67 after a disappointing opening 73. He came up from tied 46th in round one, to tied fifth in round two and leader in round three. He shot a bogey-free round to set the stage for a shot at his maiden title. 

The Patna-based professional, currently ranked 15th on the PGTI Order of Merit, shot two early birdies on the second and third holes. It was followed up with three in succession on the 11th, 12th and 13th holes. Four of his five birdies came as a result of conversions from 10 to 12 feet. 

 "My hitting got better after round one and that's the reason I posted two scores of 67. I could have been in trouble today as I missed my eight foot par putt on the opening hole. That par save was crucial," said Raj. He further added, " I have been sending video clips of my rounds and practice sessions to my father (Shashi Raj Sinha). Through this week, my father has been analyzing my game with the help of the video clips and has been giving me feedback. His inputs have been a major contributing factor to my performance this week," added he. He said the round four will be all about repeating the same things. "This course is not easy to negotiate. One has to plan a round well and grind it out. That's what I will look to do," said he. 

Meanwhile, Akshay (71-68-69) moved up from overnight tied third to second place after his third round of 69. He made a mammoth 30-feet birdie conversion on the third but dropped back to even-par for the day with a bogey on the sixth. He later set up a couple of tap-in birdies on the eighth and 13th holes. He made a final push with a birdie on the 16th hole to close the day one shot adrift of the lead.

Shubhankar (68-70-71), dislodged from the lead for the first time in the tournament, slipped to third after a round of 71. The Asian Tour regular and winner of four tournaments is the most experienced in the leading pack and hence a major contender, come the final day. Kochhar (69) and Ahlawat (70) lie tied fourth and three off the lead. Kochhar's 69 helped him gain five spots while Veer's 70 pushed him up one position.