New Delhi: India's Khalin Joshi fired a superb eight-under-par 64 to turn a six-shot deficit into a one-shot lead alongside Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman after the third round of the US$400,000 Panasonic Open India yesterday.
The 26-year-old Joshi, who is bidding for his maiden Asian Tour title, produced a near-perfect card which included nine birdies and a lone bogey. His three-day total of 13-under 203 matched the efforts of Siddikur, who signed for a 70 at the Delhi Golf Club.
"Overall, I am very happy with the way I played. I hit pretty well off the tee. I putted pretty good. My game is in good shape," said Joshi.
"I have always struggled to hit fairways with the driver here at the DGC. But I have worked on my driving. I'm hitting the driver on a few holes.
"I have a fair chance on Sunday and hopefully I will be up there throughout the game," he said.
Ajeetesh Sandhu of India remained in third place after carding a 70 while overnight joint-leader Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand slipped two shots off the pace to fourth following a 72.
Siddikur, a two-time Asian Tour winner, got off to a fast start with three straight birdies before dropping two bogeys on the fourth and ninth hole to turn in 35. He regained a shot on the 11th hole to remain one shot ahead of the chasing pack.
"I got off to a great start. Dropped a few shots after that but all in all, it wasn't too bad. I had some doubts about my game during the round but I managed to control my feelings," said Siddikur.
Joshi has enjoyed a good season thus far, capping two top-10 finishes to sit in 23rd place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings. Having virtually secured his playing rights for the 2019 season, Joshi will take aim at securing a breakthrough victory today.
Sandhu, who traded three birdies against a bogey, remained hopeful of a successful redemption at the Panasonic Open India, where he came in joint-second last year. He is chasing a second victory and first on home soil on the region's premier Tour.
Suradit said: "I think I just wasn't lucky today. I hit good shots but got some unlucky bounces. It's going to be my second time playing in the final group in the final round tomorrow [today]. I am just two shots behind. I think I still have a good chance."
