2006 Aamby Valley Asian Masters - Round 3: Eagles carry Buhrmann into joint lead

Two stunning eagles lifted South African Hendrik Burhmann to a course-record equalling seven-under-par 65 and a tie for the third round lead with India's Ashok Kumar and Simon Hurd of England at the Aamby Valley Asian Masters on Saturday.

The 42-year-old Buhrmann, the first round leader, caught overnight leader Kumar, who stumbled to a 73 that included 37 putts, and Hurd, who carded a 69 in the inaugural US$400,000 Asian Tour event at Aamby Valley Golf Club. They lead on 10-under-par 206.

The fashionable Hurd had looked poised for the sole lead but dropped a bogey on his last hole after finding thick rough with his tee shot while Kumar salvaged his day by draining a 15-foot birdie putt that ensured his place in the final group on Sunday.

England's Simon Griffiths, who is playing competitive golf again after a three-year hiatus, quietly moved up the leaderboard with an impressive 67 to lie one off the co-leaders while Australian rookie Kane Webber was a further two strokes back on 209 following a 66.

"I hit the ball good but didn't make the putts, except for the 18th hole," lamented the 24-year-old Kumar, who is bidding for his first Asian Tour triumph. "My putting wasn't working. It was too many especially when you're playing at this level. It wasn't my day but let's see what happens tomorrow," added the former caddie.

With the weight of expectations on his shoulders after carrying an overnight four shot lead into the third round, Kumar stumbled early on, dropping a bogey on the fourth and a double bogey on the par three sixth after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. He battled courageously with four birdies and two more dropped shots over his remaining holes.

"I'm still hitting the ball very well. I'm going to the first tee tomorrow with the thoughts of winning this," said Kumar.

Buhrmann, who has eight wins in South Africa, gave his hopes of a first title in Asia a massive boost following a stunning round that included two eagles, four birdies and a lone bogey which matched the course record set last year by India's Shiv Kapur. He holed a crucial six-footer at the last to save par. A glorious four wood to six inches on the par five third gave him his first eagle before draining a 20-footer on 14 for his second eagle.

"This is one of my best rounds this year which I enjoyed very much. I got the par fives today which was the key. I was very relaxed and I enjoyed the company (with Jarrod Moseley and Corey Harris). At my age now, you've got to enjoy it which is the key," said Buhrmann.

"We always strive to have the opportunity to win and that's what I'm doing this week. Like Jeev Milkha Singh (who ended a seven year winless spell recently), I'm so used to throwing it away. I've finished second so many times (four on the Asian Tour) that I'm not going to worry about it. I'm not going to expect anything. If I win it'll be a bonus," said the Springbok.

Buhrmann has put part of his success to his Indian caddie Inder Pal, who had to take a train ride for over two days from New Delhi to get to this world-class facility at Aamby Valley City. "He caddied when I finished third in the Hero Honda Indian Open last year and he read the greens good over there. He's not so good over here but I still have that same mind set of putting well and I just feel good. It's nice. I'm happy for him to have come all the way here," said Buhrmann.

Hurd, a former European Tour regular, holed three lengthy putts in his opening three holes to charge out from the blocks but was tripped up by the thick rough that lines the spectacular par-72, 7,087 yard Aamby Valley course which is located on the foothills of the Sahayadri range.

"I holed three long ones from 25 feet, 20 feet and 18 feet which was great. The one on the first was important as it was for par. On the back nine, I got off the fairway on 13 by five yards and on 18 by eight inches and I couldn't hit the ball more than 50 meters and made bogeys. I'm in a good position. I started four behind the leader and now I'm tied for the lead," said the Englishman.

Three-time winner Terry Pilkadaris of Australia gave himself an outside chance with a 67 that put him four off the pace. "I'm still a few shots behind but you don't know what to expect. It'll come down to who will have the luck in the rough. You can't hit every fairway and if you get into the rough, if you get a nice lie, it's your day," said the Aussie.

India's Gaurav Ghei was tied for seventh place alongside Australian Marcus Both on 211 after a 68. Both shot a 70.

Leading third round scores

206 - Hendrik Buhrmann (RSA) 66-75-65, Ashok Kumar (IND) 67-66-73, Simon Hurd (ENG) 67-70-69

207 - Simon Griffiths (ENG) 68-72-67

209 - Kane Webber (AUS) 69-74-66

210 - Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 72-71-67

211 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 74-69-68, Marcus Both (AUS) 70-71-70

212 - Rahul Ganapathy (IND) 74-69-69, Garth Mulroy (RSA) 74-68-70

213 - Iain Steel (MAS) 72-72-69, Corey Harris (USA) 69-73-71

214 - Darren Griff (CAN) 73-71-70, Yasin Ali (ENG) 71-72-71, Barry Hume (SCO) 70-72-72

215 - S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 70-74-71, Olle Nordberg (SWE) 73-70-72, Keith Horne (RSA) 68-75-72

216 - Craig Warren (AUS) 73-75-68, Pornsakon Tipsanit (THA) 71-75-70, Uttam Singh Mundy (IND) 69-75-72, Airil Rizman Zahari (MAS) 69-74-73, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 73-69-74, Jarrod Moseley (AUS) 69-72-75

May 13, 2006

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