Rashid races to a three-stroke lead

Delhi’s Rashid Khan returned a four-under-66 to move into a three-stroke lead in round three of the CG Open 2013 being played at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club in Mumbai. Rashid’s three-day total now reads 16-under-194. Chikkarangappa S of Bangalore, who fired a two-under-68, has the next best total score of 13-under-197.

Rashid Khan (64-64-66), the overnight leader by one shot, maintained his lead through the day thanks to some good iron-play and putting. Khan made four birdies against two bogeys on the front-nine. He sank a 20-footer for birdie on the fifth and picked up strokes on the par-3s – sixth and eighth.

The 22-year-old Rashid struggled with his driving through the day but the birdies still kept coming for him. He produced four more birdies on the back-nine against a double-bogey. He sank a 25-feet birdie putt on the 14th but was in trouble on the very next hole where a couple of poor shots led to a double-bogey.

“I found only three fairways today with my driver. However, I recovered really well on most holes with my solid iron-play and putting. I found the water on the fourth but still managed a par on that hole.

I think I should’ve taken a little more time before hitting my second shot from the rough on the 15th. I hurried it and that resulted in my second shot finding the trees once again,” said Rashid.

He added, “It will be a good contest in the final round as we know each other’s game well. I’ll look to improve on my driving in the final round.”

Chikkarangappa S continued to be in second position after a sedate 68. The rookie hit a couple of ordinary shots within inches of the hole.