Rashid Khan overcame difficulties to take command of DGC Open
Rashid Khan overcame adversity, obstacles, tough conditions and tough competition to take control of the DGC Open on Saturday. The third round in golf is often referred to as ‘moving day’ and Rasheed certainly made his move with a four-under 68 that left him three shots ahead at 11-under.
Rain added to the challenge of the Delhi Golf Course’s layout and the threat of lightning forced a 45-minute break as play on the third day ended in light rain. Rashid also had to recover from a poor start after making a double bogey on the opening hole. But the 32-year-old has by now become accustomed to dealing with adversity, returning to the tour after a back injury.
“Rounds like this give a lot of confidence. When I shot a bogey-free round on the first day, I was happy and after the double on the first hole today, when you make such a strong comeback, it gives you a lot of momentum, Rashid said after his round.
Rashid Khan scored a dream goal today while playing at his home ground #thedgcoopenHolds the top spot on the leaderboard going into the final day.
🗣️ “The weather didn’t really affect me. I was in a zone where I was just focused on one thing.”@asiantourgolf @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/Qfvzk7Tmfu
— The DGC Open (@TheDGCOpen) March 18, 2023
He carded birdies on the second, fourth, fifth and seventh holes and two more birdies on the back nine (11th and 14th).
Rashid’s closest challenger going into the final day is S Chikkarangappa, who led at the halfway point. He could not cooperate with his putter on Saturday and carded a round of 74 to fall to 8-under. In an Indian-dominated leaderboard, Honey Baisoya (65) was the star of the day, finishing tied-49th overnight at 6-under to be tied-third after a bogey-free round. Baisoya is level with compatriot Om Prakash Chauhan (73) and Thai Chapchai Nirat (71).
“I hit two bushes today and then with those, I made two bogeys and the rest of the day, I made sure I was there. So yeah, it’s okay,” Chikkarangappa was philosophical at the end of the day.
Four Indians remain in the top five on the leaderboard, with eight in the top 20, including proven winners Gaganjit Bhullar and SSP Chaurasia. Only two of the top eight players – Rashid and Chapchai – have previously won on the Asian Tour. The Thai star was in the lead for a while but faltered with three bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine.
England’s Matt Killen (74) and the Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena (72) and Justin Quiban (73) were in a tie for sixth place at five-under, ahead of Thailand’s Prayad Markaseng and Sodom Kewkanjana as well as South Africa’s Ian Snyman. One shot better, sharing ninth place.
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