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Shamim’s 3-stroke charge
Shamim Khan of the Delhi Golf Club shot a blistering six under 66 at the Classic Golf Resort here Friday to take a three stroke lead in round three of the PGTI Tour Championship 2009, reports Robin Bose.
More than the body, golf relaxes the mind. But it is also known to cause pain by robbing players of their peace of mind. Of course, exceptions like Shamim Khan are present. Rain or shine, the tranquil look refuses to leave him, and insiders claim he has often been chided for not showing enough aggression on the course. The 31-year-old came up with a fitting reply on Friday, as the cool demeanour handed him a solid three-stroke lead.
A shot shy of overnight leader Ashok Kumar, the start was far from ideal. The 2nd hole bogey would have translated into added pressure, but Shamim stayed steadfast. Doubts, if any, that the deadpan expression was a cover-up, were quickly dispelled by three consecutive birdies. “Scores have little effect on me, but the birdies got me into rhythm,” he said later.
Not only was Shamim unflappable, he also surged ahead for the first time on the penultimate day of the PGTI Tour Championship. And given that “nothing worked” for Ashok again, it stayed that way.
Ashok’s form was of little consequence to Shamim as he went about the round in his trademark style — making light of a dropped shot on the 7th by picking up shots on the 8th and 9th. Unlike the front nine, the birdies were interspersed but the leader also ensured the back nine stayed blemish-free.
Shamim’s approach was not the only factor at work. Aiding his endeavour was the chipping and putting too, which held on for the third consecutive day and saw him end at 15-under 201, three clear of Ashok.
Concern, if any, was the wind. The downwind on the 16th befuddled Shamim for a while and landed him in the bunker. The consequences could have been serious but the measured chip-in had him recording the day’s best birdie.
Ashok made a steady start, making pars till the 6th, before starting to fluctuate. The exercise began with a bogey on the 7th and ended with another on the 15th, and ensured they watered down the four birdies in-between.
Barring an upheaval, the final day promises to be a two-horse race with four strokes separating Ashok and the duo of SSP Chowrasia and Raju Ali Mollah.
