Shaurya Bhattacharya (69-63-67), a winner on the PGTI this year, kept himself in contention with a round of 67 that placed him second, two shots behind the leader at 14-under 199.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former PGTI No. 1 Manu Gandas (67-69-66) posted a 66 to end the penultimate round in third place at 11-under 202.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shivendra Singh Sisodia and Jairaj Singh Sandhu made up the top five as they were both placed tied fourth at eight-under 205.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was a two-hour delay in the start of play as a result of the overnight rain. Play began at 10 am local time on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Veer Ahlawat, the reigning PGTI Order of Merit champion, occupied tied sixth position at seven-under 206.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pune\u2019s Rohan Dhole Patil was the highest-placed among the local professionals as he was tied 20th at two-under 211.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yuvraj Sandhu, a four-time winner this year, began his day with a bogey on the third but came roaring back with seven birdies over the next 12 holes. The 28-year-old Sandhu finally ended the day with a bogey and a birdie on the last three holes. Yuvraj made two long birdie conversions, drove the green on the Par-4 ninth hole and scored birdies on all the three Par-5 holes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yuvraj said, \u201cThe overnight rain made the conditions tough out there. But since I\u2019ve played a lot of golf in Asia in recent times, I\u2019m accustomed to such wet conditions, so it worked to my advantage. Despite the rains the greens are playing well. So, kudos to the course staff for all the work that they\u2019ve put in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe delayed start today helped me get a little extra sleep and that helped me as well. It was a steady day for me, after a little blip at the start I got my momentum back from the fifth hole onwards. I held on to that momentum right till the end.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yuvraj said, \u201cThe overnight rain made the conditions tough out there. But since I\u2019ve played a lot of golf in Asia in recent times, I\u2019m accustomed to such wet conditions, so it worked to my advantage. Despite the rains the greens are playing well. So, kudos to the course staff for all the work that they\u2019ve put in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 22-year-old Shaurya Bhattacharya, currently fourth on the PGTI Ranking, also began the day with an early bogey on the first but then rallied with five birdies thereafter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n