Joshi moves to fourth place, 3 shots behind leader

Chang Hwa (Chinese Taipei), August 1 

Khalin Joshi shot a two-under 70 despite a closing double bogey to move up to fourth spot at the end of the third round of the Taifong Open here today.

Joshi, the only Indian to make the cut, is now seven-under 209, three shots behind Australian Jordan Sherratt, who recovered from a slow start to stay on track for his first career title win after shooting a one-under 71 today.

Joshi, who shared the lead after the first round, will need a strong round tomorrow to win his first pro title outside India.

Joshi was on nine-under after 17 holes but struggled to get out of the green-side bunker in two attempts which caused him to drop two shots.

“I was playing really well but double-bogeyed the last hole from the centre of the fairway. Overall, I felt that I played better. I just need to stay focussed and I think I can go low in the final round. I’ll just play my own game tomorrow,” said the 22-year-old.

Sherratt, 27, will need to hold his ground against Thailand’s Natthapong Niyomchon, who fired a 69 to trail by one shot in the $160,000 event.

Yeh Wei-tze of Chinese Taipei shot a 69 to charge into contention, two behind the leader. His compatriots Sung Mao-chang, Kao Teng and Lee Chieh-po were a further shot back in tied fourth place alongside Joshi.

Jeev loses in second round of Paul Lawrie Match Play

Aberdeen (Scotland): Jeev Milkha Singh exited from the European Tour Paul Lawrie Match Play after going down to Julien Quesne in Round 2 at the Murcar Links Golf Club here.

Jeev led in the initial stages of the match and was even 2-up. Quesne, however, not only caught up with him but also went ahead and finished the match with four holes to spare, winning 4 and 3.

The other Indian in the fray, Shiv Kapur was beaten in the first round by Richie Ramsay.

Jeev won the second and fourth holes to go 2-up but he did not win a single hole after that, while Quesne won the fifth, sixth, eighth, 11th, 12th and 15th holes to wrap up the match.

Chris Doak emerged the victor of an all-Scottish second round tie, beating tournament host and local hero Paul Lawrie in a thrilling encounter which went all the way to the 18th hole. — PTI