Greater Noida: Anirban Lahiri shot a five-under 67 in round three of the BILT Open 2011 at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort on Friday to open up a five shot lead. The Bangalore golfer’s total stands at 18-under 198. Meanwhile, Vikrant Chopra of Delhi fired a seven-under 65 to be placed second at 13-under 203.
Anirban Lahiri (71-60-67) followed up his record-breaking feat in round two with a solid 67 in round three that featured six birdies and a bogey. Lahiri collected his opening birdie of the day with a good up and down from the bunker on the second. The 24-year-old looked in ominous form once again when he birdied the fifth and sixth. He sank a 20-footer for birdie on the sixth. Anirban dropped a bogey on the eighth and thus made the turn at two under.
Lahiri went on to land his shots within five feet for birdies on the 10th, 12th and 14th and therefore ended up with a score of 67.
Lahiri, who now stares at his third successive BILT Open crown, said, “My hitting was average on the front nine but it picked up on the back nine. I hit it quite close on the back nine and didn’t leave myself too many long putts unlike round two. A five-stroke lead is pretty handy going into the final round but it is not unassailable by any means. I will therefore try to be aggressive from the very outset in the final round so that I can build on my lead and make it very difficult for the others to catch up.”
Vikrant Chopra (65-73-65) shot his second 65 of the week to finish the day in second place, five strokes adrift of the leader. His round included an eagle on the 12th, seven birdies and two bogeys.
Shankar Das (12 under 204) of Kolkata and Faridabad’s Abhinav Lohan (11 under 205) also posted scores of 65 in the third round to be placed third and fourth respectively.
Chiragh Kumar slipped from overnight second to fifth position with a 72 on Friday. His total read 10 under 206. Jyoti Randhawa’s third round 66 placed him a further stroke back in sixth position.
Gaganjeet Bhullar was placed tied 17th at five under 211.