2006 Pakistan Open - Round 3: Rodgers takes three shot cushion into final day

Englishman Chris Rodgers blazed the course as he continues to lead the third round of the US$200,000 Pakistan Open on Saturday.

The 29-year-old London-born talent was in formidable form as he struck a four-under-par 68 to a three-day total of 15-under-par 201 at the Karachi Golf Club. Local hero Mohamed Munir shot a brilliant 66 as he was tied second with Welshman and European Tour veteran Mark Mouland who fired a 71, three strokes off the pace.

Amandeep johl of India, in search of his first Asian Tour title and former Indian national champion, is thick in the action in tied fourth after a 73. Amandeep, ranked 23rd in the Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit, shared fourth alongside countryman Ashok Kumar and four-time winner in Asia Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Scotland’s Barry Hume and newcomer Iain Steel of Malaysia.

“This is simply great and the best part is I’m enjoying myself,” said Rodgers.

Hume, meanwhile, quietly moved up the leaderboard after a 66. He carded an eagle at the par five 14th hole alongside five birdies and a lone bogey.

“I hit a good 300 yards and was 10 feet away where I putted for the eagle, a very satisfying result after a shaky start,” said Hume.

Rodgers, who finished second best in the Carslberg Masters Vietnam last year, birdied the third and fourth holes before two more birdies on the 13th and 15th holes. He suffered a setback after a double-bogey on the 16th but determined to solidify his lead, Rodgers bounced back with birdies in the remaining two holes.

After a wayward drive which resulted in a double bogey at the 16th, finishing off with two consecutive birdies is definitely the highlight of the day for me,” said Rodgers.

“I am pleased with my end-round result and ever since my second place finish at the Carslberg Masters Vietnam, I am eager to stay on top,” he said.

Hot on his trail is Pakistan’s top ranked golfer Munir who scored birdies on the second, third and fifth holes before two bogeys on the sixth and eighth. He held his nerves as he conquered the back nine with five birdies on the 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th holes.

“I have won numerous local tournaments and now I’m eager to deliver a strong finish on the Asian Tour,” said Munir, who won the Chief of Army Staff Open title in November, was the Gujranwala Open champion and winner of the 2005 Punjab Open.

Pakistan’s No. 2 golfer Shabbir Iqbal was tied 10th, nine strokes adrift when he fired a 73 alongside India’s Digvijay Singh who shot a 70.

Leading third round scores

201 - Chris Rodgers (ENG) 69-64-68
204 - Muhammed Munir (PAK) 70-68-66, Mark Mouland (WAL) 68-65-71
208 - Barry Hume (SCO) 70-72-66, Iain Steel (MAS) 73-66-69, Ashok Kumar (IND) 68-70-70, Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 68-69-71, Amandeep Johl (IND) 68-67-73
209 - Akinori Tani (JPN) 69-72-68
210 - Jochen Lupprian (GER) 72-68-70, Digvijay Singh (IND) 71-69-70, Matloob Ahmed (PAK) 70-70-70, Shabbir Iqbal (PAK) 70-67-73
211 - Imdad Hussain (PAK) 68-72-71
212 - Anura Rohana (SRI) 71-70-71, Marcus Both (AUS) 70-71-71, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 73-68-71, Unho Park (AUS) 71-69-72, Jeremy Kavanagh (ENG) 70-69-73
213 - Yasin Ali (ENG) 74-71-68, Simon Hurd (ENG) 73-72-68, Vivek Bhandari (IND) 72-70-71, Richard Moir (AUS) 73-69-71, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 73-67-73, Arjun Singh (IND) 69-69-75
214 - Angelo Que (PHI) 77-70-67, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 72-73-69, Danny Chia (MAS) 75-69-70, Daniel Wardrop (ENG) 74-70-70, Lee Rhind (SCO) 70-72-72, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 76-67-71, M. Murugiah (SIN) 70-72-72
215 - Felix Casas (PHI) 76-68-71, Olle Nordberg (SWE) 69-75-71, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 72-71-72, Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 74-67-74, Pat Giles (AUS) 68-72-75

January 21, 2006

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