Kolkata's Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia nudged ahead to tie for the lead with Harmeet Kahlon even as talented amateur Harinder Gupta nosed one stroke behind the leaders after the penultimate round in the Rs One million Hero Golf Chandigarh Open 2004, being played at the par-72, Chandigarh Golf Club.
Kahlon and Chowrasia aggregate 11-under 205 for the tournament while Gupta's tally stands at 206.
Four-time Order of Merit winner Mukesh Kumar (Mhow) and Asian PGA Tour star Amandeep Johl (Chandigarh) were tied fourth at six-under 210, with Delhi's Ashok Kumar occupying the seventh position at 212.
Chowrasia is like a woodpecker. Though not blessed with too much distance off the tee, he has a short game that would make some of the best in the world envious. Rhythmic rather and aggressive play is his forte. Today, the Kolkatan settled into a beautiful rhythm, which saw him keep Kahlon in sight till the fag end and finally catch up with the overnight leader on the 16th to set up a thrilling final round encounter.
Chowrasia's round started rather disastrously with a three-putt bogey. On the very next hole, the diminutive golfer three-putted once again but escaped with a par.
"I have been wary of short putts all week long. The longer ones surprisingly have found the cup," Chowrasia had said after the second round. It must have come as a relief to him therefore when he sank a six-footer for birdie on the fourth so much so that he celebrated by chipping in to birdie the following holes as well. A bogey on the seventh saw him return a front-nine card of level-par. Kahlon at that stage was placed two strokes ahead. His back nine brought Chowrasia birdies on the 12th, 13th and 16th interspersed by a bogey on the 15th.
"I plan to play percentage golf tomorrow," said the 25-year old who shot a two-under 70 today. "I don't care even if I lose. The focus must be on maintaining my rhythm. The rest will take care of itself," he added.
India Cements-sponsored Kahlon had a reasonably uncomplicated round with birdies on the eighth and 12th and a lone bogey on the 15th in a round of 71.
"I had an average day with the driver," said the defending champion. "It had more to do with luck as I was hitting it pretty well. Just that on a few holes, my ball found rather difficult lies to the right and left of the fairway," added the Oil India employee. "That I managed to play one-under proves that the form is still there. Tomorrow, Ill go for a win," he added.
Harinder Gupta was pretty composed after a round of 69. The amateur played his front-nine to par but went on to birdie the 11th, 13th and 17th holes on his return journey. Asked if there was any pressure on him, Harinder replied in the negative.
"I just concentrated on reaching the greens in regulation and making two putts. I will do the same tomorrow. If they play aggressive golf, chances are one of them will win, but they could also drop shots so the ball is in their court," smiled the 20-year old, who if he wins tomorrow will become the first ever amateur to win a professional event on the Hero Honda Golf Tour.
Scores (after 54 holes): 205_Harmet Kahlon(68,66,71), Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia(67,68,70); 210_Mukesh Kumar(67,75,68), Amandeep Johl(70,68,72); 212_Ashok Kumar(74,72,66); 214_Yusuf Ali(71,72,71), Shiv Prakash(71,71,72); 215_Sanjay Kumar(73,74,68), Feroz Ali(72,74,69), Rahil Gangjee(72,72,71), Bhoop Singh(71,72,72), Uttam Mundy(70,71,74), Gurbaaz Mann(70,69,76).
Amateurs: 206_Harinder Gupta(66,71,69), 218_Ajitesh Sandhu(74,75,69).
