Mukesh, Manav surge to top
Mukesh Kumar in action on Thursday.
Mhow golfer Mukesh Kumar and Delhi’s Manav Jaini shared the lead after the third round of the Jaypee Greens Open 2013 at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Greater Noida on 10-under-206. Overnight joint leaders Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh and Mandeo Singh Pathania of Greater Noida are one shot behind in tied third place.
Kumar (72-67-67) climbed from his overnight tied fifth into the lead with a brilliant round of five-under-67, the joint best round of the day. He was on fire from the word go on Thursday as he sank four straight birdies from the second through the fifth holes.
Kumar’s tee shot on the par-3 third hole ended up five feet from the pin. The 47-year-old then played some outstanding shots with the wedge that landed within four feet on the fourth and fifth holes.
Kumar hit the bunker on the eighth hole and as a result dropped his only shot of the day. However, he recovered well from the bunker on the 15th hole to earn a birdie. The seasoned campaigner holed a 15-footer for his final birdie of the day on the 17th hole.
“I hit it extremely close today and enjoyed a golden phase from the second to the fifth where everything landed within five feet.
“The third shot from 130 yards out on the fourth hole ended up just four feet short of the flag. That was easily the best shot of the day. My confidence is high going into the final round as I’m playing some solid golf having dropped just one bogey in the last two rounds,” said Mukesh after the day’s round.
Jaini (68-67-71), overnight tied second, carded a resolute one-under-71 on the day. For the third day in succession, Jaini had an ordinary start, with a bogey on the first hole. He then salvaged his round by converting 15-footers for birdies on the sixth and the 12th holes. He had a good par save on the 15th where he made a chip-putt from the front edge.
“I’ve had a great week so far as I’ve been striking it well and have just three bogeys in three days. Unfortunately, I couldn’t land it close enough today.
“All my putts had a chance but most of them rolled past the hole. I’ll have to play with a lot of intensity in order to have a chance in the final round.” Gupta (67-71-69) and Pathania (67-68-72) are on nine-under-207 each.
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