Chikkarangappa surges ahead on day 3 with a second straight 68

S Chikkarangappa fired a second straight four-under-68 to regain the lead in the PGTI Kashmir Masters after round three of the PGTI Super Series event at the Royal Springs Golf Course, here today.
Chikkarangappa, the young Bangalore golfer, took his three-day total to 15-under-201. Delhi's Rashid Khan, who had set the course record in round two, ended round three in second place, at 14-under-202, after shooting a one-under-71 on Friday.
Chikkarangappa (65-68-68), the first round leader, who had slipped to second place on day two, was quick off the blocks in round three as he made four birdie putts from within eight feet on the first seven holes.

He not only erased the overnight deficit of two shots but also established a two-shot lead over Rashid Khan (68-63-71), who made two birdies and two bogeys on the first seven holes.
"I needed a good start today and I got one. I was in my zone till the 13th, having done everything right. I landed it really close on the 10th and sank a 20-footer on the 11th. But I got the yardage wrong on the 14th and the bogey on that hole stopped the momentum in a way. My putter went cold thereafter. Nevertheless, I held on to the lead after making pars on the last four holes," said the 20-year-old Chikkarangappa.

Abhijit Singh Chadha (72-65-68) of Chandigarh, who ended the third round in third place at 11-under-205, will join Chikka and Rashid in the leader group in round four. Chadha shot a bogey-free 68 on Friday.

Gurgaon-based Shubhankar Sharma, the PGTI Super Series Points leader, is currently in fourth place at 10-under-206 followed by Rahil Gangjee of Kolkata who is a further shot back in fifth position.
Jyoti Randhawa of the DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon, posted a 73 on Friday to be tied ninth at seven-under-209.
Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh came up with the day's best score of seven-under-65 to take a share of 13th place at six-under-210. SSP Chowrasia of Kolkata is joint 19th at four-under-212.