Thaindian News

Siem Reap (Cambodia), Dec 11 (IANS) A stunning and flawless seven-under 65 saw Anirban Lahiri shoot up the leaderboard to tied seventh at the end of the third round of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open Saturday. Lahiri, 23rd after two round, had seven birdies and no bogeys and he was four behind the leaders Japan’s Kenichi Kuboya (69) and Kim Hyung-sung (67).

India’s other challenger in the fray Himmat Rai (70) also moved up from 40th to 28th with a four-under.

Lahiri currently lying on the bubble in 61st place on the Order of Merit, which is the cut-off mark for players to earn their full playing privileges for 2011, is relieved that his good play today has given him a lifeline towards securing his Tour card for next season.

“I am really feeling more relieved rather than happy because it has been some time coming. I needed a good finish this week but with the position I am in now, I am looking at contending and getting into the mix on the back-nine tomorrow,” said the 23-year-old.

Starting the day in tied-23rd place, Lahiri birdied the second, fifth and sixth holes in his outward-nine to reach the turn in 33.

The Indian then commenced his homeward convincingly with three successive birdies starting from the par-four 10th. He added his seventh birdie of the day on the par-five 17th to complete his round in 65.

“I struggled the first two days as I could not hole anything but when I went out there today, I just holed everything. It was fantastic to have a good putting day today. I’ve been looking for this kind of form for some time and it’s starting to come together,” said Lahiri.

Kuboya meanwhile was confident ahead of his final round charge, declaring that he is ready to win his maiden Asian Tour title after taking a share of the third round lead with Korea’s Kim Hyung-sung.

Kuboya produced another bogey-free round of three-under-par 69 while Kim posted a 67 to share the round’s honours on matching 15-under-par 201 total at the Phokeethra Country Club.

Three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand returned with a 65 to take third place on 202 while compatriot Prayad Marksaeng together with defending champion Marcus Both of Australia and Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands are bunched in fourth place on 204.

Meanwhile Thongchai, who won the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open in 2008, remained on course to win his 13th Asian Tour title after a flawless 65 which he quickly attributed to his good putting.

Prayad, a six-time Asian Tour winner, showed his mettle when he posted the day’s lowest score of 64, which included a hole-in-one at the par-three 16th.