Baisoya opens up 7-shot lead

Delhi’s Honey Baisoya put himself in the driving seat in the third round of the PGTI Players Championship as he moved ahead by a substantial seven shots, courtesy a fiery sixunder-66 in Noida on Friday.

Baisoya, who totalled 15under-201 for three days, is now well-placed for a successful title defence at the `30 lakh event.

Bengaluru’s C. Muniyappa (68) and Noida’s Vikrant Chopra (69) were a distant tied second at eight-under-208.

Sixth on the PGTI Order of Merit, Baisoya (66-69-66), the runner-up last week in Jaipur and overnight leader by one shot, is now be favourite to retain his title.

Baisoya, looking for his second win of the year, made a blazing start in the third round with three birdies in his first six holes, which gave him a handy lead early in the day.

The 21-year-old then bogeyed the seventh but that was negated by three more birdies on as he sank almost everything that came his way.

He had one more bogey but ended the round on a high with birdies on the final two holes.

Baisoya, who fired a record 19 eagles on the PGTI last season, said, “I am quite happy with my current position. I have selfbelief since I won at this venue earlier this year. My best birdies today came on the sixth and 18th.”

Muniyappa’s (69-71-68) 3rd round 68 propelled him from overnight tied ninth to tied second.