Indian golfers struggle to stay in race

Indian golfer Samarth Dwivedi shot one-over 73 to slip to eighth position on the third day of Malaysian Amateur Open here on Saturday, while compatriot Aman Raj climbed to tied 23rd after firing a level par round.

It was a long day for both 22-year-old Dwivedi and Raj, 19, as they first had to complete Friday's second round that was suspended due to heavy rains. In the second round, Dwivedi hit three-over 75 and while Raj scored one-under 71.

Currently No.2 on the Indian Golf Union men amateur order of merit list, Dwivedi's three-day total was two-over 218 while IGU ranked three Raj was at seven-over 223 in the four-day championship. Singapore's Marc Ong is still holding the lead with the score of 207.

Dwivedi, who was also part of the Indian contingent at the Incheon Asian Games last year, said: "I am hitting the ball well with my new clubs but struggling a bit with my putting. I missed one green yesterday and a couple today. If my putting stays strong tomorrow, I am sure I can hit four or five-under."