Akshay Sharma retained the top spot for the second day running in the third KGiSL Coimbatore Open, powered by Prima Donna, at the par-72 Coimbatore Golf Club course here on Friday.
The Chandigarh golfer carded a one-under 71 for a total of 11-under 205. He wasn’t visibly pleased as he had shot a seven-under the other day. Akshay started off on the penultimate day, with a birdie on the second hole. However, he dropped three shots in four holes on the front nine letting leverage for backmarkers to step in.
He wasn’t deterred, though. Sporting a calm composure, he shot back in style with three birdies and returned home a relieved man with his top spot intact.
READ | Akshay Sharma fights back to take lead in Day 2 of Coimbatore Open
“On the front-nine, I played quite aggressively, and, as a result, made a couple of errors that also led to missing a few greens. The errors kept playing on my mind, causing loss of momentum,” he said.
But on the back-nine, he was determined to find more greens. “I ended up hitting eight greens and that brought me back into the game.”
The 33-year-old has got a fight on hand for the title on Saturday as Dubai-based rookie Rayhan Thomas and Sachin Baisoya of Delhi have inched quite close. The duo are just one stroke off and may well give him a run for his money.
Rayhan (70-67-69), who turned professional earlier this year, played without fear. The 24-year-old, who shot four birdies and one bogey during his 69, knows full well his chances appear bright for a maiden title on the tour. However, he wants to keep that off his mind and enjoy the final round as any other day.
Sachin’s (70-69-67) round was highlighted by a couple of 20-feet conversions including one for eagle on the 13th and some excellent chip-putts. Sachin, who changed his pitching wedge at the start of the day, credited his good show to outstanding chipping.
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