By IANS
Scottsdale (US) : Daniel Chopra continued his fine run this new season with a second successive four-under 67 that put him in tied sixth place at the end of the third round in the FBR Open on the US Tour.
The Indo-Swede, who won his first PGA Tour title at the Ginn Sur Classic late 2007, also won the 2008 season opener Mercedes Benz Championships. With a four round total of 10-under 203, he is only four behind J.B. Holmes (66) at 14-under 199.
Chopra, who had rounds of 69 and 67 on the first two days, may well have been even higher but for a closing hole bogey on the 18th. Chopra had a great day with the putter as he needed just 25 for the round.
Chopra netted birdies on the first, sixth and seventh to turn in three-under. More birdies followed on the 11th, 15th and 17th, but he also dropped bogeys on 12th and 18th.
Also tied in sixth with Chopra was Korea’s Kevin Na (67). Another Korean Charlie Wi (67) was tied 12th at nine-under-par 204.
Korean star Choi Kyung-ju stumbled to a 74 in day three and was in joint 56th position.
“I don’t think the crowd was behind anybody,” Holmes said after taking a two-shot lead at the FBR Open on Saturday in front of a record 170,802 fans, most of them more interested in partying than golf.
“Especially on 16 and 17,” he said. “Usually if you miss the green they boo you. We were hitting the green and they were booing you. When the putt went in they cheered, but they’re rough on you.”
Holmes, who won the FBR Open as a rookie in 2006 but is winless since, shot a third round 5-under 66 for a 14-under 199 total heading into Sunday’s final round with just over $1 million at stake for the winner.
Charles Warren (67) Jonathan Byrd (68) were tied second at 12-under, while Ben Crane and Nick O’Hern were 11-under, and two-time champion Phil Mickelson was in a group of six at 10 under.