Golf
DGC Open: Stable Rashid Khan stays in zone | Golf News
Delhi golfer gains three-stroke advantage Chikkarangappa on a rainy day
NEW DELHI: Commonly referred to as “Moving Day” in the Gulf, some challenges were stalled between wind, cold and rain. birdsong may have been the melodious backdrop, but the swings didn’t sing and the putts were out of tune Delhi Golf Club raised his disrespectful head.
But Rashid Khan was in the safe zone. A double bogey meant a disastrous start, but the golfer who grew up speaking the language of this forest immediately responded with four birdies over six holes. “I was just trying to find the greens and give myself birdie opportunities. The weather didn’t really affect me and I just focused on one thing.”
His mind didn’t waver when lightning hazard halted play for 45 minutes when he was on the 11th hole. He returned to sink a 30-foot birdie putt.
His 4-under 68 for 11-under overall gave him a three-stroke advantage over overnight leader Chikkarangappa and headed into the final day of the $750,000 DGC Open.
Chikka, who had a three-shot lead, struggled with the speed of the greens for a 2-over-74 round and 8-under overall. When his par putt went down for a bogey on the 15th, he knew it wasn’t his day. Self Rashid was surprised. “I’ve never seen Chikka putt like that. He’s missed a lot of opportunities, not even made a birdie.”
With the par 5s out of reach because the fairways didn’t roll, the Bengaluru golfer, like many others, had wedge problems as the greens rolled back. “On the first two days they always jumped forward. The verdict was harsh. But it is okay.
For Rashid, who celebrated two Asian Tour triumphs in 2014, it was all about momentum. He stayed in a positive mood and his recovery shots were impeccable as he managed to get out of trouble a couple of times. The 32-year-old, who now trains at Noida GC, showed unusual restraint, bringing his driver out just once. “It’s very rare when I play at DGC. I just teed off my 3 iron or 3 wood and I have to say I enjoy this style of golf.”
The best card of the day was one of them Honey Baisoya. With a bogey-free 7-under-65, the DLF golfer jumped from tied 49th to tied third place and shared third place with Mhows Om Prakash Chouhan and thai Chapchai Nirat.
Leading Round 3 results: 205 (under 11) Rashid Khan (IND) 67-70-68; 208 Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 68-66-74; 210 – Honey Baisoya (IND) 71-74-65, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-71-71, Om Prakash Chouhan (IND) 69-68-73.
NEW DELHI: Commonly referred to as “Moving Day” in the Gulf, some challenges were stalled between wind, cold and rain. birdsong may have been the melodious backdrop, but the swings didn’t sing and the putts were out of tune Delhi Golf Club raised his disrespectful head.
But Rashid Khan was in the safe zone. A double bogey meant a disastrous start, but the golfer who grew up speaking the language of this forest immediately responded with four birdies over six holes. “I was just trying to find the greens and give myself birdie opportunities. The weather didn’t really affect me and I just focused on one thing.”
His mind didn’t waver when lightning hazard halted play for 45 minutes when he was on the 11th hole. He returned to sink a 30-foot birdie putt.
His 4-under 68 for 11-under overall gave him a three-stroke advantage over overnight leader Chikkarangappa and headed into the final day of the $750,000 DGC Open.
Chikka, who had a three-shot lead, struggled with the speed of the greens for a 2-over-74 round and 8-under overall. When his par putt went down for a bogey on the 15th, he knew it wasn’t his day. Self Rashid was surprised. “I’ve never seen Chikka putt like that. He’s missed a lot of opportunities, not even made a birdie.”
With the par 5s out of reach because the fairways didn’t roll, the Bengaluru golfer, like many others, had wedge problems as the greens rolled back. “On the first two days they always jumped forward. The verdict was harsh. But it is okay.
For Rashid, who celebrated two Asian Tour triumphs in 2014, it was all about momentum. He stayed in a positive mood and his recovery shots were impeccable as he managed to get out of trouble a couple of times. The 32-year-old, who now trains at Noida GC, showed unusual restraint, bringing his driver out just once. “It’s very rare when I play at DGC. I just teed off my 3 iron or 3 wood and I have to say I enjoy this style of golf.”
The best card of the day was one of them Honey Baisoya. With a bogey-free 7-under-65, the DLF golfer jumped from tied 49th to tied third place and shared third place with Mhows Om Prakash Chouhan and thai Chapchai Nirat.
Leading Round 3 results: 205 (under 11) Rashid Khan (IND) 67-70-68; 208 Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 68-66-74; 210 – Honey Baisoya (IND) 71-74-65, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-71-71, Om Prakash Chouhan (IND) 69-68-73.
