Home advantage lost

Indian Open Golf: Chiragh fails to find birdie on Day 3,concedes lead to Gleeson.

It was a neck and neck scenario right through the third round at the Indian Open on Saturday. But eventually,a bogey on the last hole notwithstanding,overnight second-placed David Gleeson managed to squeeze out a one-stroke lead over Chiragh Kumar,who had been setting the pace for the last two days. While Chiragh seemed to have lost his mojo going without any birdie on the back-nine the Australian carded a six-under for the day to take his three-day total to 16-under 200.

Gleeson opened play with two straight birdies and by the eighth hole,the difference between him and Chiragh,who was playing in the same group and still holding on to his overnight lead,was just one shot. However,a small indecision on the 9th led Gleeson to use a 3-iron to tee off and he bogeyed that hole,helping Chiragh regained his 3-stroke lead,albeit momentarily.

But Gleeson found the fairway again and birdied that and the next hole,narrowing the lead again to one shot. The situation changed completely and that went on to be the turning point of the day as Chiragh,on the last nine holes,just about managed to par them all to hit a 2-under 70. And with three consecutive birdies from the 14 th to the 16 th,Gleeson ran away with the lead.

Gleeson,who has been winless on the Tour for three years will have to protect his slender advantage as the pack behind him is enjoying some good momentum. Chinese Taipeis We-chih Lu just won a Tour event in Taiwan last week and is sharing the third position at 11-under. Along with him is Scotlands Ross Bain who has been consistent in the top-4 on all days. Bain,who is roommates with Gleeson this week is hoping he can challenge his friend on Sunday,and do what he hasnt been able to do on this course in 20 previous attempts close in on the title.

But Gleeson has his own plans on that. Closing is always crucial,I havent done it recently but if I dig deep Im sure Ill be able to find that in me.

Leaderboard:

200 8211; David Gleeson ,201 8211; Chiragh Kumar,Lu Wei-chih,Ross Bain,207 8211; S.S.P. Chowrasia,Adilson da Silva,Daisuke Kataoka,Chapchai Nirat.