Panasonic Open: Joshi hits day's best 64 to share top spot

New Delhi: India’s Khalin Joshi soared with the third round’s best score of eight-under 64 to join overnight co-leader Md Siddikur Rehman of Bangladesh at the Panasonic Open India golf tournament here on Saturday. The leading pair carded a total of 13-under 203 each.

Joshi (71-68-64) leaped from his overnight tied 15th spot to grab a share of the lead and kept himself in contention to win his first Asian Tour title. He carded a bogey-free front nine which was studded with four birdies.

Joshi, a two-time runner-up on the Asian Tour, dropped his only bogey of the day on the 13th but came roaring back with three more birdies on the last five holes.

“I hit it pretty well of the tee and the putting was also good, so overall the game is in good shape. I’m happy with the way I’m playing,” Khalin, a three-time winner on the PGTI, said.

The consistent show of Ajeetesh Sandhu continued as he was again one-shot behind leaders and solid at third with two-under 70.

Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai, who is turning 20 on Sunday, was poised to make his birthday memorable till Round Two but four bogeys on Day Three cost him dear. The overnight co-leader slipped to fourth after hitting an even par 72. “I think I just wasn’t lucky today. I hit good shots but got some unlucky bounces. I made a good birdie on the third after sinking a 20-footer. That gave me some confidence heading into the round,” said the Thai teen.

Patna boy Aman Raj also progressed well on the day to grab the fifth spot after finishing Day Two at T-12 with four-under 68. After hitting two bogeys and same number of birdies in front nine, he produced a flawless next turn with four birdies and five even pars to ring in a successful day.

M. Dharma was tied in sixth place for the second day running. Sachin Baisoya also took a share of sixth thanks to his 67 that featured two eagles on the par-5s eighth and 18th. Baisoya gained 15 spots from his overnight tied 21st.

Kshitij Naveed Kaul, making his professional debut this week, gave a good account of himself with a 70 to be an impressive tied 11th at eight-under-208.

Mukesh Kumar and Angad Cheema were tied 14th at six-under-210.

Defending champion Shiv Kapur, former champion Chiragh Kumar, Tapy Ghai, Chikkarangappa and Jyoti Randhawa were all in tied 17th at five-under-211.

Jyoti Randhawa sank a hole-in-one on the 12th during his round of 67.

Jeev Milkha Singh slipped from overnight tied sixth to tied 24th after his 75 in round three. His total read four-under-212.