Randhawa leads in Singapore Open golf
Randhawa leads in Singapore Open golf
SINGAPORE (Agencies): India's Jyoti Randhawa jumped into a
one-shot lead after the third round of the US$400,000 Singapore
Open on a day when upcoming star Gerald Rosales of the
Philippines shattered his own course record with a stunning 10-
under-par 62.
The 28-year-old Randhawa, the biggest mover yesterday
following a superb 64, kept up his hot form on the Singapore
Island Country Club's equally steaming Island Course with a
seven-under-par 65 Saturday. With a three-day aggregate of 201,
Randhawa, currently fourth in the Davidoff Tour Order of Merit,
is in sight of his fourth career title.
Rosales, however, stole the third round's thunder with his
amazing 10-birdie round, which moved him into joint second place
with overnight leader Hendrik Buhrmann of South Africa, who
returned a 70, on 14-under-par 202. The 62 also equaled the Asian
PGA's 18-hole record.
The previous Island Course best of 63 was set by Rosales a
year ago en route to winning the Singapore Amateur Open title.
And naturally, he is eying victory again.
"It was an exciting day. I played really good and putted
extremely well. In the first two rounds, I couldn't drop anything
but today I needed just 23 putts. Compared to last year, the club
has toughened the course with some strategic bunkers.... so it's
nice to get the record again."
"It'll be great to win both the Singapore Amateur and
Singapore Open titles. I had also won the Philippine Open
recently and that has given me the confidence to know I can win
in the pro ranks. I hope the big breakthrough will come
tomorrow," said Rosales.
It could have been all the sweeter for Rosales if not for
missed birdie putts from eight and two feet at the fourth and
ninth holes respectively. But with his delightful ball-striking
abilities that left him easy pickings, he journeyed both nines in
identical 31s, with the longest putt from 20 feet.
Results
201 - Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 72-64-65
202 - Hendrik Buhrmann (Rsa) 66-66-70, Gerald Rosales (Phi)
69-71-62
203 - Ted Purdy (USA) 67-68-68
204 - Charlie Wi (Kor) 69-68-67, Danny Zarate (Phi) 69-69-66
205 - Amandeep Johl (Ind) 68-68-69
206 - Ahmad Bateman (USA) 68-67-71, Mardan Mamat (Sgp) 67-69-70,
Yeh Wei-tze (Tpe) 69-70-67, Arjun Atwal (Ind) 68-70-68