By V. Krishnaswamy, IANS,
Bangkok : India’s Shiv Kapur got off to a flying start with four birdies in the first six holes to card a five-under 67 that saw him rise to tied 10th at the end of the penultimate round of the Volvo Masters of Asia golf here Saturday.
Kapur, who won the 2005 edition, was the best placed among the Indians, even as Jyoti Randhawa (69) and young Gaganjeet Bhullar (69) also made significant gains on the third day at the Thai Country Club here.
Kapur was four strokes behind the leading quintet, which included David Gleeson (63), Chapchai Nirat (70), Chawlit Plaphol (69), Marcus Both (70) and overnight leader Lam Chih-bing (72).
“I always have great memories of this event and the course,” said Kapur. “Sure there is some pressure off when you know you get to play four rounds and it gives you some money for Christmas shopping.”
Jeev Milkha Singh riding a fine three-under front nine went on a roller-coaster ride on the back nine with a stunning eagle putt from 30 feet and three other bogeys for his 70. He was tied 32nd with S.S.P. Chowrasia (72).
“I had a better day. The rhythm seemed to be there and hopefully I can string another good round. The eagle was a nice one with two good shots and a fine 30-foot putt,” said Jeev, who is assured of the Order of Merit title.
Bhullar, who has impressed all his senior colleagues, looked set for big things as he was five-under through 10 holes. Then he had a slice of bad luck, as he seemed to have shot just close to the bunker on the par-5 14th, but couldn’t find the ball and ended with a bogey. Then he dropped another on 16th to card a 69.
Randhawa was four-under after 17, before he dropped a bogey on 18th. He finished with a 69 and in tied 16th place.
Taking a slide on what was otherwise a good day for the Indians was Gaurav Ghei, who started the day 11th, and seemed set for better things at one-under for the front nine. But he then had a struggle on the back nine with four bogeys and a double for a six-over that saw him end the round at 77 and slip to 37th at one-over.
Digvijay Singh (77) was lying 63rd at nine-over. Amateur Rashid Khan rebounded from his third round 78 with a 73 that saw him at seven-over in 59th, while the other amateur Rahul Bakshi carded his third straight 76 to be 12-over in 66th place.
The stage for the final day’s fight was well set as there were five players sharing the lead and another 10 players within four shots.
Lam, who led by two strokes after the third round, posted four birdies against as many bogeys as he failed to pull clear of the chasing pack in the $750,000 event.
Gleeson equalled the 11-year-old course record held by Canadian Jim Rutledge, thanks to a mind-blowing outward 29 which included an opening bogey and two eagles.