Srinagar: Golfer Khalin Joshi fired a superb six-under 65 to end the third round with a comfortable six-shot lead at the Rs one crore J&K Open here on Thursday.
The 33-year-old Bengaluru player, who began the day seven shots clear at the Royal Springs Golf Course, followed his first two rounds of 63 and 66 with another composed display to reach 19-under 194.
Delhi’s Rashid Khan (68-68-64), also a former Asian Tour winner, fired the day’s best score of seven-under 64 to move into sole second place at 13-under 200, six shots behind Joshi.
Joshi’s second successive bogey-free round featured six birdies and extended his run without a dropped shot to 37 holes. The former Asian Tour winner has made just one bogey all week, which came on the par-four 17th during the opening round.
While his ball-striking was not as sharp early in the round, Joshi found a way to keep moving forward before rediscovering his rhythm on the back nine.
“I didn’t hit the ball as well on the front nine as I had over the first two days, but making two birdies after missing the fairways was important,” said Joshi. “I found some momentum on the back nine, hit a few good shots and converted some good putts.
“Overall, I’m feeling confident and positive about my game,” added Joshi.
Joshi has now produced rounds of 63, 66 and 65, but he is not allowing his commanding position to change his approach heading into the final day.
“Hitting fairways is the key here because it creates plenty of birdie opportunities,” he said.
“My goal tomorrow will be to find as many fairways as possible. If I can do that, I believe the score will follow. There is just one round left, so I need to stay in the present and continue doing what I’ve done over the first three days.”
Chandigarh’s Ajeetesh Sandhu (65-72-65), another former Asian Tour winner, climbed to third place at 11-under 202 following a third-round 65.
Panipat’s 21-year-old Shubham Jaglan (70-68-66) and Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema (68-68-68) shared fourth place at nine-under 204. DP World PGTI Ranking leader Saptak Talwar (69-71-65) shared T-6th position with Kshitij Naveed Kaul (70-69-66) at eight-under 205.
Brijesh Kumar (69-74-67) of Panchkula posted the first hole-in-one of the tournament on the par-3 11th. He was placed tied 20th at three-under 210.
