Thaindian News

Hong Kong, Nov 20 (IANS) Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh continued to be in the mix, even as Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter produced a six-under-par 64 to open up a two-shot lead after the third round of the $2.5 million UBS Hong Kong Open here Saturday.

Jeev shot a round of four-under 66 and is now 14-under 196, and five shots behind the leader. Gaganjeet Bhullar (69) and Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (68), the only other Indians making the cut were tied at five-under 205.

The flamboyant Poulter, who carded a blistering 60 Friday, sank putts of 30 feet on the 17th and 18th holes for a 19-under-par 191 total and gave himself a cushion from second-placed Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, who shot the day’s best of 63 at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Simon Dyson of England, winner of the Hong Kong Open in 2000, was a further shot back following a 65 while Northern Ireland’s star Rory McIlroy, twice a runner-up here, birdied his last for a 66 to tie for fourth place with Korean-born American Anthony Kang, who carded a 67 in the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Jeev said that he was happy with his round.

“My name wasn’t showing up on the leaderboard today, but it’s tied, three players tied for 14 — I’m happy with the round. I played really solid, hit 17 out of 18 greens, and I think the one I missed, I used the putter there, too. I’m pretty happy with my ball-striking. I shot 3-under on the front and on the back I shot 1-under for 4-under. I shot bogey-free round pretty happy,” said Jeev.

“I left a few putts out there, but that’s all right. Tomorrow is another day and I’m in the thick of things right now, and hopefully will be three or four going into the last day and give it a shot tomorrow.”

On what he needs to do on the final day, Jeev said: “I think winning score is going to be close to about 20-, 21-under, and I think I need 7-under tomorrow.”

Poulter is looking forward to a slugfest with Ryder Cup teammates McDowell, the US Open champion, and McIlroy.

“Earlier this week, we were having a little bit of banter and I told Graeme I was going to win this week. And then Rory walked in and they had a bit of banter because Graeme had just gone a place in front of Rory in the World Rankings, so there’s been some banter between those two and obviously me telling Graeme,” said Poulter, the World No.14.