Angad Cheema Leads India Open with Stellar Performance

AHMEDABAD, Aug 7 (PTI) - Chandigarh golfer Angad Cheema maintained his focus and delivered a superb three-under 69 to claim the lead in the third round of the Rs 1 crore India Open at the Kensville Golf & Country Club on Thursday.

With rounds of 69 and 67 on the first two days, Angad Cheema has accumulated an impressive three-day total of 11-under 205, setting him up as the frontrunner for the final day.

Noida's Amardeep Malik, who had rounds of 69-65-72, shot an even-par 72 in the penultimate round, putting him in second position with a total of 10-under 206, a mere one shot behind the leader.

Chandigarh's Karandeep Kochhar also made significant strides with a solid 69, landing him in third place.

Pune's Udayan Mane, after a disappointing start with a 78, bounced back with a sensational 66 for the second consecutive day. Mane's remarkable comeback saw him move up 11 spots to be tied-fourth at six-under 210, alongside Delhi’s Arjun Prasad (69).

Rakshit Dahiya of Delhi, the only amateur to make the cut, finished the day in 10th position at two-under 214 after carding a 71.

Local talent Varun Parikh recorded a 72 to be tied for 13th at even-par 216.

Angad Cheema, who began the day two shots behind the leader, played a steady front-nine, making par on each hole.

The 35-year-old golfer, who won the last PGTI event in April, started the back-nine with a bogey on the 10th but quickly recovered with four birdies, three of which came from impressive distances of 10 to 15 feet.

"I played a steady round today, hitting all greens in regulation. My putter got hot on the back-nine, and that helped me sink a lot of long putts. That was the big difference between my front-nine and back-nine," Cheema commented.

"Playing the qualifying event of The Open in the UK this summer was a memorable experience that provided great international exposure, competing in a strong field at a challenging links course. It benefitted my game immensely."

Amardeep Malik, who had taken a two-shot lead overnight, made three birdies and three bogeys, relinquishing the lead but remaining in close pursuit, just a shot behind Cheema.

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