BILT Open: Shamim shoots flawless 64 for four-shot lead

Shamim KhanNew Delhi: Rashid Khan came into the third round with a five shot lead at the BILT Open 2012, but had a tough time on the penultimate day as Shamim Khan repeated his opening day’s act - carding a flawless eight-under-64 to take a four shot advantage going in to the final day.

Shamim, thus ended the day with a total of 16-under-200 at his home course, the Delhi Golf Club (DGC), while Rashid, who had a horrendous back nine, was placed second at 12-under-204.
 
Shamim Khan (64-72-64) who has won two matchplay events at his home course (2006 & 2010) is now eyeing up the number one spot on the PGTI- Rolex Rankings as victory at the BILT Open 2012, would elevate him to the summit ahead of current leader Harendra Gupta and guarantee him a spot at the Barclays Singapore Open next month. It would be a monumental achievement for Shamim, considering he has never played a professional tournament outside the Indian Sub-continent.
 
With two wins behind him this season, Shamim had no other option but to go for broke as another level par score would have left him with a lot of catching up in the final round. The 34-year-old started the round five shots behind Rashid but quickly took control by firing five birdies around the turn and went on to play steady golf in his quest to win a first strokeplay title at his home course.
 
“I played safe yesterday and didn’t convert makeable puts from 10 feet. That happens in golf…However, today was different as I converted all opportunities –the best being a 30-footer on the 6th,” said Shamim.  
 
Shamim was on song from the very outset as he birdied the second after landing his approach shot within three feet of the pin. The 34-year-old then scorched the course with four consecutive birdies on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth to turn at five-under.  
 
There was not much that was crisp about Rashid’s round today. He birdied the 8thbut had a horrendous bogey-double bogey start to his back nine – finding the bushes with his tee shots on the 10th and 11th.  Shamim went past Rashid’s score on the 11th and consolidated his lead with birdies on the 15th, 16th and 18th. Rashid salvaged some pride with a birdie on the 14th and ended the day at one-over-73.
 
“It’s great to have shot two scores of eight-under in the same tournament. I have just dropped one bogey in the first three rounds which has helped my progress in this event. I sank some long putts today and that gave me a huge boost. I’ll continue to concentrate on my 3-wood and putter in the final round. I’ve won two events at the DGC but both those victories were in the matchplay format. I’m now keen to win my first strokeplay event at my home course,” said Shamim.  
 
Md Islam (67-74-66) of Patna is placed third at nine-under-207 while DGC’s Manav Jaini (69-71-68) is a further stroke behind in fourth position. The trio of Om Prakash Chauhan, Mithun Perera and Ashok Kumar are tied for fifth at seven-under 209. Indian star Jyoti Randhawa is in joint ninth position at four-under-212.


By Tilak Malaviya
Indian Sports News Network

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