Chandigarh (Punjab)[India], November 5: Bangladeshi Jamal Hossain continued at the top of the pack for the third day running as he extended his lead to three shots despite a late wobble in round three of the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2023 being played at the Chandigarh Golf Club.
Jamal (65-68-69), who enjoyed a one-shot overnight lead, submitted a card of three-under 69 on Saturday to take his total to 14-under 202.
Delhi's Sachin Baisoya (66-68-71) kept himself in second place for the third straight day following his round of 71. His total stood at 11-under 205.
Abhijit Singh Chadha came up with a 70 to end the penultimate day in third position at 10-under 206, being the highest-placed Chandigarh player.
Pukhraj Singh Gill fired the day's best score of 66 to occupy tied fourth place at nine-under 207 along with multiple-time international winner Rahil Gangjee (69).
Aadil Bedi, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Angad Cheema were the other Chandigarh-based professionals in the top-10 as the trio were in tied eighth at seven-under 209.
Indian golf legend and tournament host Jeev Milkha Singh (72-70-72), playing at his home course, returned a 72 on Saturday to be placed tied 38th at two-under 214.
Jamal Hossain was in prime form with his irons and wedges that helped him set up five birdies over the first 13 holes. The 38-year-old from Dhaka, a four-time winner on the PGTI, also had an 18-feet birdie conversion on the 13th. Then a wrong club selection on the 14th resulted in Jamal's first bogey of the day. It affected Hossain's momentum as he continued to slide with two more bogeys thereafter with his only other birdie coming on the 16th.
Jamal said, "After being five-under for the day through 13 holes, I felt I was heading for a total of 18-under today. Even though I wasn't driving it well, my iron-hitting, wedge-play and putting were top-notch till the 13th. I made just nine putts on the front-nine. But the bogey on the 14th, result of a wrong club selection, led to loss of concentration for me.
"My driving and tee shots have been an area of concern for me this week. I'll look to improve on that front in the final round otherwise it would not be easy holding on to the advantage till the end," he added.
PGTI Ranking leader Om Prakash Chouhan (67) was tied 19th at five-under 211.
Round 3 Leaderboard:
202: Jamal Hossain (65-68-69)
205: Sachin Baisoya (66-68-71)
206: Abhijit Singh Chadha (70-66-70)
207: Pukhraj Singh Gill (68-73-66); Rahil Gangjee (72-66-69).
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