Super Sharma impresses again at Kuala Lumpur
In joint lead with Woodland, Leishman with six-under score
India’s 22-year-old Shubhankar Sharma once again served notice of his immense talent with a round of six-under par 66 that tied him for the lead in the $7 million (Dh25.7 million) CIMB Classic yesterday.
Sharma, who burst onto the scene with wins in Joburg and Maybank Championship on the European Tour earlier in the season, moved to 19-under par 197, catching up with joint overnight leaders Gary Woodland of the US and Australia’s Marc Leishman, who both came in with 67 each.
The resurgent South African Louis Oosthuizen (65), who has recently been plagued with back injuries, and Bronson Burgoon (67) of the US, the surprise package of the tournament, were tied for fourth place at 17-under par.
American 2009 Open champion Stewart Cink shot the lowest round of the day, a nine-under par 63, to move to tied seventh place at 15-under par along with five others, while his compatriot Austin Cook (68) was the lone man in sixth place at 200.
Playing in the leader group, it was world No. 24 Leishman who made the first move, starting with birdies on his first two holes and an eagle on the third. But after making the turn in 30, he struggled on the back nine and came back in 37 shots.