By V. Krishnaswamy, IANS,
Singapore : Jeev Milkha Singh completed his unfinished round with four pars in the last four holes to card a 67 and stay at five-under after three rounds at the Barclays Singapore Open Sunday.
Jeev, who is at five-under 208 is tied for seventh, was left stunned to see the ball horse-shoe out of the 18th cup from two feet. He will go out with Padraig Harrington and Charlie Wi in the final round, with all of them at five-under.
Jeev’s deficit against the leader Chapchai Nirat increased to five as the Thai finished with the tournament’s best card 65 and moved to 10-under.
“I was somewhat disappointed with that birdie miss. But as as long as I am playing well and in contention on the final day, I am happy. The more chances you give yourself, the better it is,” said Jeev, who by finishing third or higher, could move into lead on Order of Merit, regardless of Chapchai or Lam Chih-bing winning.
Of the other five Indians, Gaurav Ghei parred his last three holes and sign for a five-under 66 and move to tied 13th after 54 holes. Jyoti Randhawa, 38th at three-over 216, was the lone Indian to finish his third round Saturday.
Digvijay Singh birdied his last two holes to finish with a 76 — he was six-over with three to play – and was placed 47th at five-over. Shiv Kapur had a double bogey and a bogey and closed with a birdie in his five holes this morning for a 73 which placed him at six-over for 54 holes and in tied 61st place. Gaganjeet Bhullar (76) and S.S.P. Chowrasia (75), who dropped three shots in four holes, were 66th and 67th at seven-over and eight-over respectively.
Second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last year, Chapchai, needing to play seven holes this morning, bogeyed the 12th but then birdied the 16th and 18th to take a three-shot lead into the final round.
Chapchai’s 10-under 203 is three clear of local hope Lam Chih Bing, who signed for a 68. Lam is hoping to become Singapore’s first winner of Asia’s richest national Open.
World No. 3 Phil Mickelson played his way into the final pairing with Lam and Chapchai after shooting two closing birdies for a 66 to lie four off the pace.
Tied with Mickelson are Ernie Els, who carded a 71, Simon Dyson (71) and Thomas Bjorn (68). Jeev, Harrington and Charlie Wi will start the last round five behind Chapchai.
Chapchai knows he is on the threshold of the biggest win of his career but is not putting any pressure on himself.
“I do not want to pressure myself – I just want to play my normal game. I like the golf course and I hope to play well in the final round,” said the burly Thai.
Singapore has been a good hunting ground for Chapchai, who came to prominence at the 2005 edition where he finished tied 11th. Since then, he has made a name for himself in Asia by winning twice last season but his form has dipped this year due to a back injury.
Lam kept up his historic chase for victory. “I’ve just played it one shot at a time. On this course you can pick up shots and drop shots easily. A three shot lead is a reasonable lead but anything can happen,” he said.
After dropping a bogey Saturday morning on his last hole due to a spectator camera clicking on his back swing, Mickelson enjoyed a better finish this time with two closing birdies to haul himself into the final group.