2006 Indian Open - Round 3: Randhawa races into lead

Indian Jyoti Randhawa catapulted himself into the lead at the US$400,000 Hero Honda Indian Open at Delhi Golf Club after firing a sizzling eight-under-par 64 on Saturday.

The Indian star, winner of this event in 2000 at the same venue, moved to 16-under-par 200 after three rounds for a one stroke lead over compatriot S.S.P Chowrasia. England's Simon Dyson is in third place three strokes off the lead.

Randhawa, who is ranked 25th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, revealed that he started the week really feeling the pressure but has been able to keep his focus. He made nine birdies, twice making three in a row.

"It was a great round. I was very satisfied with the way I played today. My whole aim was to stay in the present and play it shot by shot. The last two or three days have been a mental battle. I don't often make nine birdies," said Randhawa.

"There is a lot of pressure on me from my family, Delhi Golf Club, India and the media. There is a lot of mental agony. If I under perform I am written off. For a golfer who has won here it plays on your mind. That's why I take my hat off to Tiger Woods because he does it time and time again. I am trying to learn and the best way is to stay in the present," he added.

The 34 year old has a brilliant track record at Delhi Golf Club as he also won the Hero Honda Masters here in 1998 and 1999.

Second round leader Chowrasia came in with a 67. The Asian Tour rookie has won multiple titles on the Indian PGA Tour but put himself on the threshold of a huge victory by firing a round made up of an eagle, five birdies and two bogies.

"I am one shot behind and I like this because when you are ahead sometimes there is a tendency to play safe and you can mistakes as you try to protect the lead. Now that I am behind, I can attack, while the leader, Jyoti will have to defend. Playing with him in the lead will be great fun, as I have a lot of respect for Jyoti as a player and it will indeed good learning," said Chowrasia, who grew up living next door to Royal Calcutta Golf Club where his father was the green keeper.

"As far as my play is concerned, playing on the Asian Tour has changed my outlook. I wish I had gone out on Asian Tour a couple of seasons earlier. This year Royal Calcutta Golf Club's support, too, has helped me a lot. I find that playing on Asian Tour gives one access to a lot of facilities. The equipment manufacturers are willing to help you and you get to know the latest in the world of golf," he added.

Dyson, a two-time winner on the European Tour this year, fired a 68 to give him a chance of winning what would be his fifth Asian Tour title.

"I was one over after seven without hitting a bad shot really. I managed to get things back on track with an eagle on the eighth and played lovely after that," said the Yorkshireman, who hit a three wood and two iron to 20 feet on the eighth.

Dyson won the Indonesian and Dutch Opens this year.

"I am just going to keep playing the way I am and try and get into positions to make birdies. Jyoti had nine birdies out there today which was amazing. Hopefully it will be my day tomorrow and I can do the same as that," added Dyson.

India's Gaurav Ghei and Vijay Kumar, and Thailand's Prom Meesawat are on 12 under the tournament.

ENDS

Third round scores (par 72):

200 - Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 69-67-64
201 - S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 69-65-67
203 - Simon Dyson (ENG) 68-67-68
204 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 71-68-65, Mukesh Kumar (IND) 70-68-66, Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-68-68, Vijay Kumar (IND) 66-68-70, Unho Park (AUS) 70-65-69
206 - Rahil Gangjee (IND) 71-66-69
207 - Scott Strange (AUS) 67-73-67
208 - Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 67-73-68, Muhammed Munir (PAK) 70-69-69
Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 69-69-70
209 - Mark Mouland (WAL) 71-70-68, Matt Holten (NZL) 73-67-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 73-71-65, Vivek Bhandari (IND) 68-71-70, Park Jun-won (KOR) 72-65-72
210 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 76-66-68, Shiv Kapur (IND) 74-67-69, Digvijay Singh (IND) 71-72-67, Gerald Rosales (PHI) 69-71-70, Mahal Pearce (NZL) 70-69-71
211 - Angelo Que (PHI) 72-71-68

October 21, 2006

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