Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship:<\/b> Shubhankar Sharma returned an even-par 72 to retain a two-shot lead after the third round of the INR 2 crore Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 30-year-old Chandigarh golfer (68-65-72), who began the day with a four-stroke advantage, mixed five birdies with three bogeys and a double bogey to remain at 11-under 205 heading into the final round. Bengaluru\u2019s Manoj S (70-71-66) and Italy\u2019s Michele Ortolani (72-70-65) emerged as Shubhankar\u2019s closest challengers at nine-under 207.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Manoj climbed from sixth to tied second after making six birdies in a bogey-free 66. Ortolani rose from seventh overnight with a blemish-free seven-under 65, the joint-lowest score of the day. Last year\u2019s PGTI Order of Merit champion Yuvraj Sandhu (71-69-69) of Chandigarh made a three-under 69 to occupy fourth place at seven-under 209.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shubhankar began strongly, making four birdies on the front nine before adding another on the 10th. However, he dropped three bogeys and a double-bogey on the closing stretch that reduced his lead from his overnight four strokes to two.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was an up-and-down day,\u201d Shubhankar said. \u201cI started strongly and made four birdies on the front nine, including gains on the second, fourth, and seventh, before adding another on the 10th.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe back nine was disappointing because I missed a few opportunities coming in and dropped some shots. However, I\u2019m still playing good golf and have plenty to look forward to tomorrow. Hopefully, I can carry the momentum from today\u2019s front nine through all 18 holes in the final round,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandigarh\u2019s Brashwarpal Singh (72-65-73) and Bengaluru\u2019s Khalin Joshi (72-67-71) shared fifth place at six-under 210. Joshi, a four-time winner on the DP World PGTI this season, began the week second in the Race to DP World India Championship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Current Race to the India Championship leader Saptak Talwar (75-72-72) climbed from tied 31st to tied 25th at three-over 219. <\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandigarh\u2019s Brashwarpal Singh (72-65-73) and Bengaluru\u2019s Khalin Joshi (72-67-71) shared fifth place at six-under 210. Joshi, a four-time winner on the DP World PGTI this season, began the week second in the Race to DP World India Championship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Special Cricket Stories<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n