2007 Iskandar Johor Open - Round 3: Ghei battles into one shot lead

Ghei, who delivered a winning run in China in April, carded a one-under-par 70 under tough conditions at the Royal Johor Country Club for a one stroke cushion over the charging field with a four-under-par 209 total.

Filipino Tony Lascuna blasted a steady 67 for joint second place alongside overnight leader Jason Knutzon who slipped with a 72. Adam Le Vesconte posted his second straight 69 for a 210 total at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

Despite a double bogey on the final hole, Artemio Murakami delivered his best round of 69 in lone fifth place while Malaysia’s Airil Rizman Zahari, who won the Pakistan Open in January, was the highest ranked local player in a tie for sixth spot after a 72 together with Chinese Taipei’s Sung Mao-chang who delivered a 68.

Ghei, 38, who enjoyed a strong first half performance this season with one win and two top-10 finishes, remained strong with five birdies against four bogeys, that included a final bogey on the par four 18th hole.

“I made one little swing change which caused my shots to go all over the place. I have not adjusted well yet but it’s getting there. I am thinking about the swing when I’m out playing so it’s not a good thing. I have been managing it well until today. But overall, I am pleased with my position,” said the New-Delhi born golfer.

“If I miss the fairway, I am going to have a good chance to miss the green and if that happens, I am looking at a bogey.

“So the margin for mistakes is always there, as reflected through the overall scores today. I will learn from today and hope that I will adapt to the swing change and produce a good result this week,” added Ghei, who ended an 11-year drought with a win at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last year.

After quitting his job as a national coach last month, Filipino Lascuna enjoyed his best performance on the Asian Tour in tied second position with five birdies against a lone bogey. Lascuna, who has been training the national squad for the past two years, aims to shoot one better on Sunday gunning for a maiden triumph.

“I hope to score a four under tomorrow because it was a challenge out there today. But this is the best position I’ve been on the Asian Tour and I’m really excited. I hope that my game will hold tomorrow and my putting will improve for a top finish,” said Lascuna, who picked up the game at the age of 12.

Australia’s Vesconte, who won the Philippine Open in 2005, is glad to be back on course after enjoying a six week break during the off season. He shot six birdies against four bogeys that included three straight birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes.

“I was getting frustrated with my game before the break because I wasn’t doing too well for quite some time.

“I told myself to lay off golf for a while and relax which was exactly what I did. I’m glad I made that decision because I’m extremely calm now. If I get anymore relaxed, I might end up sleeping on the course. So the break definitely paid off for me as seen today,” said Vesconte.

Malaysia’s Airil delivered a 72 three stokes off the pace as the local star remains optimistic of his final charge on Sunday.

“I was happy to play well in the first event after the break. It was difficult again today but I will give it my best shot as I really want to win it here for the local fans,” said Airil.

Leading third round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

209 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 70-69-70

210 - Tony Lascuna (PHI) 72-71-67, Adam Le Vesconte (AUS) 72-69-69, Jason Knutzon (USA) 71-67-72

211 - Artemio Murakami (PHI) 70-72-69

212 - Sung Mao-chang (TPE) 69-75-68, Airil Rizman (MAS) 71-69-72

213 - Gary Simpson (AUS) 74-70-69, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 70-72-71, Simon Yates (SCO) 71-70-72, Gavin Flint (AUS) 73-73-67

214 - Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 72-72-70, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 70-71-73

215 - Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 75-70-70, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 74-71-70, Kao Bo-song (TPE) 75-70-70, Edward Michaels (USA) 72-73-70, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 73-69-73, Stephen Scahill (NZL) 70-72-73

216 - S. Sivachandran (MAS) 74-70-72, Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 72-71-73, Scott Barr (AUS) 72-70-74, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 72-70-74, Tony Carolan (AUS) 73-72-71, Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 68-74-74, Gerald Rosales (PHI) 70-70-76, Lee Sung (KOR) 69-69-78

August 25, 2007

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