Pune: Udayan Mane of Bengaluru turned on the heat in the closing stages with a birdie-eagle finish that saw him open up a four-shot lead over defending champion Khalin Joshi (71) at the end of the third round of the Maharashtra Open Amateur Golf Championship at Par-71 Poona Golf Club on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Mane, two ahead at the start of the day, doubled his lead with steady play and a fine finish. Mane, carded a two-under 69 and is now three-under 210 for three days and four clear of Joshi, who at 214 is one-over for three days at the Oxford Golf Club.
Mane and Joshi, playing together were tied for the lead at one over at the 17th tee. Joshi bogeyed the hole, while Mane birdied it for a two-shot swing. Another two-shot swing followed when Mane landed an eagle on the 18thand Joshi managed only a par. Suddenly the gap became four shots in two holes.
Karan Taunk, third after second day stayed there with a second successive 71, just like Joshi. Taunk’s total is 215, one behind Joshi.
Sidharth Semwal, 12th after second round, made a smart move up; with a 67 that was the best card of the day. With a total of 216 He moved into fourth place and Delhi’s Gagan Verma (70) joined Seenappa Chikkrangappa (73) in tied fifth place at 218. Honey Baisoya (75) was seventh at 220 and K Raghav Bhandari (75), opening round leader, was eighth at 221.
It was a good day for scoring with three sub-par rounds and three other rounds at par 71.
All India Amateur semi-finalists and last year’s runner-up Mane is trying get his revenge on defending champion Joshi and as of this stage seem in good position to do so. The reigning All India Amateur champion, Chikka continued to have his problems with his form. Chikka’s rounds have been 76, 69 and 73.
