LUCKNOW’S SANJAY, RASHID TAKE JOINT LEAD

KOCHI: San jay Kumar of Lucknow and Delhi’s Rashid Khan ended day three as joint leaders at the PGTI Cochin Masters presented by CIAL Golf and Country Club here on Friday.

While Sanjay shot a threeunder-33, Rashid came up with a two-under-34 as both players took their three-day tally to seven -under- 101. There is a three-way tie for third place between Gurgaon’s Shubhankar Sharma and Sri Lankans Anura Rohana and K Prabagaran at five-under-103.

Sanjay’s (33-35-33) round of 33 lifted him from overnight tied second to the top.

Sanjay landed his approach within five feet and converted the putt for his first birdie of the day on the 11th.

The 42-year-old went on to hole a 15-feet birdie putt on the 14th to move to two-under for the day.

Sanjay, winner of six titles, picked up his third and final birdie courtesy a chip to two feet on the 16th.

Sanjay said, “I was quite pleased with my bogey-free effort today since the wind came into play once again. My wedge shots were the best part of my game in round three.” Rashid (32-35-34), who has not dropped a single stroke in the tournament so far, continued to impress on day three.

He knocked down a mammoth 30-footer for birdie on the 15th. The 23-year-old pocketed his second birdie on the par-3 17th where his tee shot stopped within six feet of the flag.

Rashid, winner of five titles, said, “I hit the ball well and was steady once again. Importantly, I didn’t drop a bogey.