The city-based duo of Gaganjeet Bhullar and Angad Cheema lead the race as they enjoyed a two-shot advantage at the end of round three of the ₹1 crore Chandigarh Open 2024, being hosted by the Chandigarh Golf Club.
Playing at their home course, Bhullar and Cheema tied for the lead at 17-under 199, having shot rounds of seven-under 65 and six-under 66, respectively.
Mysuru’s Yashas Chandra registered a 68 to end the day at third position with 15-under 201.
Gurugram-based Dhruv Sheoran produced the day’s best score of 64 and jumped 10 spots for the fourth position at 14-under 202.
Indian golfing great Jeev Milkha Singh struck a 72 to be tied at the 33rd position at two-under 214.
Gaganjeet Bhullar (67-67-65), who began the day one, shot off the lead in fourth place, suffered an early setback when he bogeyed the first hole after finding the trees. Gaganjeet, a winner of 12 international titles, then roared back with a flurry of birdies on the second, third, fourth and sixth including two long conversions.
The 35-year-old Bhullar, who was in good ball-striking form, came up with an eagle and three birdies at the cost of a lone bogey on the back-nine. The highlight of his round was his third shot on the 16th that he holed out from 55 yards for an eagle.
{{/usCountry}}The 35-year-old Bhullar, who was in good ball-striking form, came up with an eagle and three birdies at the cost of a lone bogey on the back-nine. The highlight of his round was his third shot on the 16th that he holed out from 55 yards for an eagle.
{{/usCountry}}Gaganjeet, now staring at his third title at the Chandigarh Golf Club, said, “I had a shaky start but came back quick that gave me the momentum. I then just kept on hitting fairways and created birdie opportunities. I had a really good closing stretch that always helps going into the next round.”
“It’s been a week of solid ball-striking for me and I’ll look to repeat that in round four. I’ve been hitting a lot of fairways and that has in turn given me confidence of also landing it close to the flag. Making crucial putts has also helped my cause.”
Angad Cheema (66-67-66), the overnight joint leader, maintained his grip on the proceedings with five birdies on the first eight holes that included a 30-feet conversion on the first and a splendid tee shot that landed a foot and a half from the pin on the third.
Cheema then had a quiet phase as he bogeyed the ninth and made pars on the next seven holes. The 34-year-old then pulled it back towards the end with birdies on the 17th and 18th making a 25-footer on the latter to tie with Bhullar for the lead.
Angad, looking to end his 11-year-long victory drought, said, “I was steady throughout. I’m very comfortable with what I’m doing and that’s the reason my ball-striking has been quite consistent.”
Round 3 Leaderboard:
199: Gaganjeet Bhullar (67-67-65); Angad Cheema (66-67-66)
201: Yashas Chandra (67-66-68)
202: Dhruv Sheoran (68-70-64)
203: Rahil Gangjee (68-68-67)