Local favourite Anshul Patel struck the day’s lowest score of five-under 67 to rise into the joint lead along with Aman Raj (70) in Round Three of the Rs 1 crore Gujarat Open at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad.
Anshul (66-71-67), playing at his home course, was tied at the top with Aman (66-68-70) at a total of 12-under 204.
Related: Aryan Roopa Anand banking on hard-nosed approach for success
There was daylight between the two 27-year-olds at the top of the pack and the rest of the field as Bengaluru-based rookie Aryan Roopa Anand (71-69-69) had the next best total of seven-under 209 that placed him third, five shots behind the joint leaders.
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Anshul, who was the joint first round leader along with Aman before slipping to second spot, three shots behind the latter in round two, had a quiet front-nine on Friday with two birdies and a bogey where he hit his wedges close to the pin to pick up a couple of shots.
Anshul’s surge began with his crucial six-feet par-save on the 10th. Thereafter, there was no looking back for the Ahmedabad-based pro as he collected five birdies, leaving himself three tap-ins, at the cost of a lone bogey.
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The left-handed Anshul, searching for his maiden title, said, “I hit it close and gave myself a lot of birdie chances but didn’t convert those. But on the 10th, I was in the rough and chipped out well and followed that up with a good up and down from 87 yards for a par. That was the turning point for me today as it calmed my nerves.
“I then told myself that I’m in such a good position because I have played well enough to deserve it. I then just took one shot at a time and didn’t think too far ahead.”
Aman, the overnight sole leader by three shots, missed a lot of putts on a day he could manage just three birdies in exchange for a bogey.
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Aman, a winner on the PGTI in 2018, said, “As compared to my first two rounds, the putts didn’t roll in today. I didn’t have any momentum going. It was a test of patience but I’m glad to have hung in there and ended the day with a birdie.”
, playing on his home course, is tied at the top with Aman Raj (66-68-70) at a total of 12-under 204.){kind=link}