By IANS
New Delhi : Raphael Jacquelin could hardly get his putter to do his bidding, but was still happy to find himself in the lead as the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters at the end of the third day of the $2.5 million EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) here Saturday.
Jacquelin had a par-72 on the penultimate day for a total score of six under par 210 as he moved from overnight tied second to the top on a day when strong chilly winds posed a challenge for the golfers at the Lodhi Course.
But despite a steady performance the Frenchman was not pleased with his game and was disappointed with the way he putting.
“It’s always good to be on top of the leaderboard. I’m just a little disappointed with the way I putted today. I didn’t hole any, except for one on 14, to make a good eagle. But the rest was really poor on the greens. So that’s why I’m a little bit disappointed but pleased to be up there,” said the golfer.
The Frenchman kept things simple on a windy day and didn’t take any chances, which helped him survive on the tricky course. He parred the first four holes and birdied the fifth on the front nine. However, on the back nine, he had a troubled time as he bogeyed the 10th and the 11th and the 17th but found an eagle on 14th.
On the difficult conditions he said: “The course was difficult to play. It was really tricky today. I was just concentrating on my game as usual, I would say, and just try to put it in play from the tee, because that’s really the key of this golf course, especially into the wind.”
Asked if world No.4 Ernie Els, tied 10th with three under 69, was the main man to beat, Jacquelin said: “I don’t know what the forecast is for tomorrow, but if it’s windy like this, anything can happen on the golf course.
“If you lose confidence off the tee, it’s going to be hard to finish the day. So just going to stay as usual and try to put the ball in play. That’s normally the good part of my game. I’m pretty confident in how I’m hitting the ball and hopefully I’m keeping all of the putts for tomorrow.”