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