Local favourite Anshul Patel struck the day's lowest score of five-under 67 to rise into the joint lead along with Patna's Aman Raj (70) in round three of the Gujarat Open Golf Championship 2023 being played at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club, here on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anshul Patel (66-71-67), playing at his home course, was tied at the top with Aman Raj (66-68-70) at a total of 12-under 204 at the Rs. 1 crore event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was daylight between the two 27-year-olds at the top of the pack and the rest of the field as Bengaluru-based rookie Aryan Roopa Anand (71-69-69) had the next best total of seven-under 209 that placed him third, five shots behind the joint leaders.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anshul, who was the joint first round leader along with Aman before slipping to second spot, three shots behind the latter in round two, had a quiet front-nine on Friday with two birdies and a bogey where he hit his wedges close to the pin to pick up a couple of shots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anshul's surge began with his crucial six-feet par-save on the 10th. Thereafter, there was no looking back for the Ahmedabad-based pro as he collected five birdies, leaving himself three tap-ins, at the cost of a lone bogey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I hit it close and gave myself a lot of birdie chances but didn't convert those. But on the 10th, I was in the rough and chipped out well and followed that up with a good up and down from 87 yards for a par. That was the turning point for me today as it calmed my nerves," said the left-handed Patel, who is searching for his maiden title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I then told myself that I'm in such a good position because I have played well enough to deserve it. I then just took one shot at a time and didn't think too far ahead," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Aman Raj, the overnight sole leader by three shots, missed a lot of putts on a day he could manage just three birdies in exchange for a bogey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"As compared to my first two rounds, the putts didn't roll in today. I didn't have any momentum going. It was a test of patience but I'm glad to have hung in there and ended the day with a birdie," said Aman, a winner on the PGTI in 2018.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Khalin Joshi was tied 20th at one-over 217 while Udayan Mane was a further shot back in tied 24th place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ahmedabad's Varun Parikh was 31st at four-over 220 while Noida-based 15-year-old amateur Aarav D Shah was tied 42nd at seven-over 223.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Khalin Joshi was tied 20th at one-over 217 while Udayan Mane was a further shot back in tied 24th place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n