Atwal hits two-under, tied with Yeh

HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 11: India's Arjun Atwal continued to lead the field after the third round of the Star Alliance Open golf championship ...

HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 11: India’s Arjun Atwal continued to lead the field after the third round of the Star Alliance Open golf championship on Saturday, carding a two-under-par 68 to finish the day tied on 4-under-par 196 with Taiwan’s Yeh Weh-Tze.

Yeh, who started the day two behind overnight leader Atwal, fired a four-under-par 66.

Atwal, winner of last week’s Hero Honda Masters in New Delhi, carded a 68 while South African Justin Hobday, nephew of US Senior tour player Simon Hobday, is four strokes further back after a 66.

Story continues below this ad

Cold and windy weather on Saturday replaced Friday’s sunshine at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country club but the tricky conditions failed to stop Yeh and Atwal, both 27, from storming ahead in the Davidoff Tour event.

Atwal led for most of the day but was caught by Yeh for the first time after he overshot the par-three 14th and lost his ball. The Indian did well to make four after hitting his second shot from the tee to 15 feet and holing the putt.

“My game wasn’t as solid as the first two days. I putted a little better but I’m not going to complain as I’m still in the lead,” said Atwal.

“I hit a great shot on 14, I thought it was in the hole but it didn’t even land on the green. I got it wrong, hit the totally wrong club. I hit seven but could have hit nine,” added the young Indian.

Story continues below this ad

Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng and South African Hendrik Buhrmann are eight under for the tournament after rounds of 65.

Next year’s European Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance of Scotland had a “sad day on the greens” and fired a 70 and is one-under for the tournament.

Spaniard Seve Ballesteros just missed a 12-foot eagle putt on the last and returned a 69 to finish even par.

Yeh looked as if he’d Finish the day with the outright lead, but he three putted the par five 18th after a poor third shot left him a long first putt.

Story continues below this ad

“I was feeling good out there. I was very happy to play with Arjun, he’s a good golfer and was the champion last week. I’m a little disappointed to finish with a bogey but I had a bad lie for my third shot. It was very sandy,” said Yeh, who won the season-opening Malaysian Open.

Yeh is currently ranked second on the Davidoff Tour Order of Merit but a top six finish will see him regain the lead from England’s Simon Dyson, who is not playing this week.

“I think one under might be good enough to win tomorrow,” added Yeh.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India3 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog