Jakarta: Shiv Kapur stumbled to a crippling double bogey on the 17th hole but still gave himself a shot at the title by being tied sixth after the third round of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters here on Saturday. Three-under after 16, Kapur double bogeyed the 17th but got one back with a birdie on the 18th to end the third day at two-under 70.
At seven-under 209 for three days, he was four shots behind the surprise leader, Japan's Daisuke Kataoka (66). Lurking behind the Japanese player was the reigning Open champion, Ernie Els (68) and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (67), both at 10-under. As Kapur moved from overnight ninth to tied sixth despite the late double, Rahil Gangjee (69) and Anirban Lahiri (69) also made upward moves.
Gangjee moved to tied sixth with Kapur and Lahiri went up from tied 20th to 11th at six-under 210. The other Indian still in the fray, Ajeetesh Sandhu (75), was lying tied 65th at five-over 221.
Gangjee, who made the best move among Indians said, "I'm really happy today because it was pretty hot out there. There was not much breeze and I think the leaders are feeling the pressure too. So if I can keep going like this, three, four under I can have a really good finish and maybe (even) win. Saturday has always been my nemesis but I think I managed to overcome that one today."
Meanwhile, Lahiri, who has already tasted a win this year, said, "It was so hot and humid especially when we were warming up in the morning. It got windy as the round progressed. I was hoping to do better today so I was a little disappointed. But I think as long as I'm within four shots I still have a good chance. A good low round tomorrow can put anybody back in the game. I finished fifth last year and I got off to a similar slow start."
Kataoka birdied the last two holes for 11-under 205 to steal the limelight from Els, who shot a 68 at the USD 750,000 full field Asian Tour event.
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