SIDDIKUR TAKES LEAD IN SAIL OPEN AT NEW DELHI
NEWS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR
New
Delhi, India: Bangladeshi Siddikur was rock steady as he carded a
third straight four-under-par 68 for a one-shot lead over title holder
Anirban Lahiri of India at the SAIL-SBI Open presented by Incredible
India, Ministry of Tourism on Friday.
Siddikur
put himself in prime position to win a second Asian Tour title after
firing five birdies against a lone bogey at the Delhi Golf Club to lead
from Lahiri, who birdied his last two holes for a bogey-free 66.
Joint
overnight leader Khalin Joshi battled to a 71 to end the day two
strokes back in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event, which is celebrating
its sixth edition, while another local hope Rashid Khan was a further
shot behind after also a 71.
Thailand’s
Chapchai Nirat and home hero Shiv Kapur will enter the final day four
off the lead after rounds of 67 and 69 respectively while American Chan
Kim stumbled to a 74 to fall out of contention.
The
29-year-old Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to win on the Asian Tour
when he won the Brunei Open in 2010, was delighted to push ahead of the
home favourites.
“Very
consistent. I’m so happy,” smiled Siddikur, who hit 12 fairways and 14
greens in regulation. “I’ve been very consistent. I’m happy with myself
with three 68s. I’ve been trying to get more regulation play and it’s
been working.”
Siddikur’s
round was highlighted by a monster 40-foot birdie conversion on 16 but
he said a par save on 18 after finding the punishing bushes was crucial
as it kept his nose ahead of the defending champion, Lahiri.
“On
16, I tried to make just a two putt but it went it. It was a fluke. But
I made a good save on 18, made a great up and down. Conditions are not
easy. It’s not finished until the last hole and last putt. This course
is never easy but I’m looking forward to playing with Anirban as he’s a
good friend of mine,” said Siddikur, who leads on 12-under-par 204.
The
25-year-old Lahiri, who started the day four behind, charged into
contention with a superb display of ball striking as he hit 15 greens in
regulation. “It’s the best I have played all week. I’m getting more
comfortable on the greens. Just a couple of bad swings but I got away
with pars which was important. Four putts kind of stood at the lip but
I’m not going to complain as some fell for me in the end. I’m happy with
where I am right now,” said Lahiri, who is seeking a third Asian Tour
victory.
“The
last putt was a good putt. It was like a 10 or 12 footer and given the
fact that I knew I was two shots back, I thought it was important to
make that putt. I’m one shot closer to the lead now.”
The
talented Joshi, who is making his professional debut on the region’s
premier Tour, lost his way momentarily on his outward nine with three
bogeys but fought back to stay in the hunt for a dream victory.
“I
struggled today really badly. Started well with birdie, birdie, and
then three putted the third hole. From there, I had a tough day on the
front nine but managed to get something back together on the back nine.
It was a tough day overall. I didn’t lose my cool which helped me,” he
said.
After
slipping up in the second round with a 75, big-hitting Chapchai
produced five birdies for an unblemished card to earn a shot at a second
SAIL-SBI Open title, which he won in 2009 with a world record
32-under-par 256 aggregate.
“My
putting and iron play were really good. This round has given me a good
chance again. I struggled in the winds yesterday afternoon and couldn’t
control my shots. Teeing off at 9am this morning, the conditions were
good for scoring and thankfully I managed to take advantage. I reckon
I’ll probably need a five or six under round to .
Scores after round 3 of the SAIL SBI Open being played at the par 72, 6935 Yards Delhi Golf Club course (a- denotes amateur):
204 - SIDDIKUR (BAN) 68-68-68.
205 - Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 71-68-66.
206 - Khalin JOSHI (IND) 66-69-71.
207 - Rashid KHAN (IND) 72-64-71.
208 - Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 66-75-67, Shiv KAPUR (IND) 69-70-69.
209 - Matthew STIEGER (AUS) 70-71-68, Chan KIM (USA) 67-68-74.
210 - Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA) 70-69-71.
211
- Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 71-73-67, Adam GROOM (AUS) 71-71-69, Boonchu
RUANGKIT (THA) 72-69-70, LAM Chih Bing (SIN) 73-67-71, Ajeetesh SANDHU
(IND) 70-70-71, Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 72-67-72, Chiragh KUMAR
(IND) 68-70-73.
212 - Namchok
TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 69-75-68, Scott HEND (AUS) 73-71-68, Rahul BAJAJ
(IND) 73-68-71, BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 71-69-72, Vinod KUMAR (IND)
73-73-66.
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