Jyoti Randhawa fires 65 to share ninth spot in Thailand

Jyoti Randhawa

Hua Hin (Thailand), Feb 14 (IANS)

Veteran Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa fired seven-under 65 to jump 39 places and finished joint ninth, while Shiv Kapur shared 20th position after the third round of the $2 million True Thailand Classic here Saturday. Randhawa, with two previous rounds of 71 and 70, respectively, took his total to 10-under 206 at the Black Mountain Golf Club. The former Asian Tour champion scored seven birdies on the second, sixth, 10th, 11th, 13th, 17th and 18th holes in a bogey-less performance Saturday.

Shiv also jumped nine places as he scored three-under 69. He had five birdies on the third, sixth, 11th, 17th and 18th against a double bogey on the par-three 10th hole. Shiv has eight-under 208 as total.

Anirban Lahiri carded 70 to share 42nd spot with nine others, who have identical scores of five-under 211 after three rounds.

S.S.P. Chowrasia finished tied 57th, while Arjun Atwal had a bad day. Atwal managed two-over 74 and is tied 67th going into the final round.

However, big-hitting Scott Hend of Australia used his power drives to his full advantage when he carded a 66 to take a one-shot lead at the inaugural event.

Tournament ambassador Thongchai Jaidee, who is also a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, spearheaded the local charge with a flawless 67 to share second place with overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez. The Spaniard returned with a 69.

It was an eagle-three on the 609-yards par-five 13th which took the 41-year-old Australian to the top of the leaderboard. Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who started the day in second place, slipped to fourth place after he posted a 70.

Leaderboard:

201: Scott Hend (AUS) 67-68-66.

202: Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 69-66-67, Miguel Jiminez (ESP) 67-66-69.

204: Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 67-67-70.

205: Andrew Dodt (AUS) 71-67-67, Richard Green (AUS) 71-67-67, Alex Noren (SWE) 67-70-68, Wade Ormbsy (AUS) 72-65-68.

206: Javi Colomo (ESP) 74-67-65, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 71-70-65, Johan Carlsson (SWE) 69-67-70, Tom Lewis (ENG) 69-67-70.

207: Jorge Campillo (ESP) 73-68-66, Thomas Bjorn (DEN) 69-72-66, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 67-72-68, Jason Knutzon (USA) 72-66-69, David Lipsky (USA) 65-73-69, Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 72-66-69, Rikard Karlberg (SWE) 72-65-70.

208: Shiv Kapur (IND) 66-73-69, Berry Henson (USA) 70-69-69, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 70-68-70, Romain Wattel (FRA) 70-68-70, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 69-69-70, Jeunghun Wang (KOR) 68-69-71, Richard T. Lee (CAN) 68-67-73."