Costly triple pushes Chawrasia to tied 33rd WGC-HSBC Meet

Chawrasia had four birdies, but he also had two bogeys and an unfortunate triple in blustery conditions at Sheshan Country Club.

“I have one more day to make up, so let’s see what happens," Chawrasia said after a day of mixed fortunes at the WGC-HSBC Championships

SSP Chawrasia was not in his element as he hit a poor one-over 73 to drop down to tied 33rd with a round to go at the WGC-HSBC Champions, here today.

Chawrasia had four birdies, but he also had two bogeys and an unfortunate triple in blustery conditions at Sheshan Country Club.

“After the triple bogey, I tried hard on back nine and got back two birdies but that (triple bogey) was a costly one,” said Chawrasia, the only Indian in the field.

“I have one more day to make up, so let’s see what happens.”

Dustin Johnson shot a 4-under 68 that led to big numbers, building a six-shot lead. He is now close to becoming the first player to win three World Golf Championships in the same year.

Johnson was tied with Brooks Koepka through seven holes on Saturday until a four-shot swing on the par-5 eighth hole.

Koepka drove into the hazard off the tee and then found the hazard again on his approach to the green. He missed a 6-foot putt and took triple-bogey 8.

Johnson smashed his drive over the trees and into the fairway.

Despite mud on his golf ball, he sent it to the left rough above the green. He hit a flop shot to 15 feet and holed it for a birdie. From being equal, he was four ahead. Johnson is now at 17-under 199.

Koepka found water from a bunker on the par-5 closing hole before making a 6-footer to save bogey for a 73 and 11-under 205.

Henrik Stenson shot 69 and was at 10-under 206. Johnson earlier this year won the WGC-Mexico Championship and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Texas.

Not even Tiger Woods with his 18 titles in the World Golf Championships ever won more than two in one year.