Bhullar stays in contention for title at Thai Open

Bangkok, May 20 

Gaganjeet Bhullar stayed in contention for his third title in just over six months, as he was only two shots behind overnight co-leader Thai Rattanon Wannasrichan (65) after the penultimate round of the USD 300,000 Thailand Open here today.

Bhullar, who shared the lead with the Thai after 36 holes, shot four-under, but Rattanon  birdied his last two holes and surged ahead into outright lead. The 21-year-old Thai sank six birdies to move to 17-under 196 at the Thai Country Club. His countryman Panuphol Pittayarat carded a superb 64 to trail by one shot in second place. Bhullar is in third place on 198.

Indians had a fair day as Shiv Kapur (65) with his six-under card moved up to tied-9th at 11-under 202, while Jeev Milkha Singh (70) was tied-19th at nine-under.

Of the other Indians — Shankar Das (70) and Khalin Joshi (68) are tied-40th at 208. Shubhankar Sharma (71) and Himmat Rai (73) are tied-62nd and tied-67th, respectively, while Chiragh Kumar (75), S Chikkarangappa (74) and Arjun Prasad (77) are further behind. — PTI