Eyeing second title in two months, Madappa placed third

Viraj Madappa, who became the youngest Indian to win on the Asian Tour last month, put himself in contention for another title as he shot a fine 5-under 67 at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship Saturday.

He moved within a shot of the co-leaders, American John Catlin and local hope Hung Chien-yao.

Madappa was seven-under 209 and tied third in the tournament.

Hung shot 68 and Catlin carded two-under-par 70 to share the third round lead and they were one shot ahead of Madappa, Panuphol Pittyarat (71) and Korean-American Sihwan Kim 69) at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club.

The next best Indian was Shiv Kapur (71) at tied 24th at 1-under 215 and Karandeep Kochhar (71) and Rashid Khan (71) were tied 34th at even par 216. S Chikkarangappa (72) was tied 46th, SSP Chawrasia (76) slipped to tied 57th alongside Khalin Joshi (75) and Himmat Rai (75).

Madappa said, "Physically I felt I was playing well the last three weeks. I didn't feel like there was a loss of confidence or anything like that. It was just a bunch of mistakes I made mentally over the last three weeks."
"Because of that, I'm heading in the right direction and giving myself more chances now. I've been in this position many times as a junior, amateur before so I'm just going to let my natural instinct take over and just play my own game. I just hope for the best result."