Anirban lahiri, on Friday, showed just why Delhi Golf Club (DGC) has been his favourite hunting ground of late. After a disappointing first day and an average second, lahiri started the third day four shots behind the leaders but with some brilliant hitting pushed himself to second spot.
On the course where he won both of his Asian Tour titles, lahiri hit 15 greens in regulation to card a superb six-under-par 66 (205) and charged into contention for the second consecutive SAIl-SBI Open title.
To cap off a brilliant day on the course where he hit six birdies without a bogey, lahiri hit a 10-foot birdie on his last hole to finish one shot behind the leader Mohammad Siddikur Rahman, who carded a third straight four-under-par 68 (204).
“I’m really happy with the way I played. It’s the best I have played all week. I feel I’m getting more comfortable on the greens. Four putts kind of stood at the (hole) lip but I am not going to complain as some fell for me in the end. I’m happy with where I am right now,” lahiri said.
“The last putt was a good one. It was like a 10 or 12-footer. Given the fact that I knew I was two shots back, I thought it was important to make that putt. I’m happy to hole that putt as I’m one shot closer to the lead now,” he added.
The 29-year-old Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to win on the Asian Tour, was delighted to be ahead of the home favourites. “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, who hit a massive 40-foot birdie on 16th hole, said.
“On 16, I tried to make just a two putt but it went in. It was a fluke. But I made a good save on 18 after landing in the bushes, was a good up and down,” he added.
Debutant Khalin Joshi, who led the field for two days, lost his way on the front nine as he hit three bogeys against two birdies. But he recovered well later on with three birdies and one bogey to card one-under-par 71 (206) and kept himself in contention for the maiden title.
“I struggled really badly today. 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,” Khalin said.
Rashid Khan, who on Thursday hit a super eight-under 64, couldn’t carry on the good work as he carded a one-under 71 to be on fourth. Shiv Kapur and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat will enter the final day four off the lead after rounds of 69 and 67 respectively while Thursday’s joint leader Chan Kim of US stumbled to a 74 to fall out of contention.