Pune’s Rohan Dhole Patil was on song at the Kharghar Valley course, setting a course record to move into a share of the Cidco Open third rpund lead alongside Veer Ahlawat on Thursday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Rohan Dhole Patil rewrote the course record with a 7 under par 64 to move into the joint lead at 10-under 203 with Veer Ahlawat in round three of the Cidco Open at Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Overnight leader Ahlawat returned a 2 over 73 in the Rs 1 crore event presented by Larsen & Toubroat the Kharghar Valley Golf Course, the PGTI said.
Dhole Patil (70-69-64), searching for his maiden title, eclipsed the course record of 65 set by Ahlawat (65-65-73) in round one.
The Pune golfer climbed nine places from being tied 10th overnight even as DLF-based Ahlawat, sole leader for the first two days, held on to his position atop the leaderboard.
Subash Tamang (71-68-65) of Nepal, another player looking for his first win, also made major gains with his 65 to rise seven spots on the leaderboard on 9 under 204.
Italy’s Michele Ortolani (67-66-72) ended the day a further shot back in fourth place at 8 under 205.
Dhole Patil, who trailed the leader by nine at the start of the day, made steady gains on the front nine with three birdies thanks to his consistent approach shots.
Two bogeys on the back nine did not break Dhole Patil’s momentum as he continued the good work by adding an eagle from 18 feet and four more birdies thanks to solid chipping and putting.
Finding answers
“It was a day when all aspects of my game came together and produced results,” Dhole Patil said.
“I’ve been working towards achieving this. My chipping and putting were particularly sharp on the back-nine.
“I’m really enjoying this layout at KVGC. It’s a true test of skills. Breaking a course record is always a special feeling and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the last round.
“Cidco has done a great job with this golf course. I played here when it was a nine hole track but the layout has been changed since then.”
Ahlawat didn’t have the best of days with three birdies and five bogeys but grinded it out to stay in the lead for the third day running.
“I had a tough day and didn’t putt that well. I also didn’t hit it well on the shorter holes where I should’ve taken advantage,” he said.
“But the game still feels good. My plan was to stay close to the lead as I was aware that it was just a bad day today.
“I know I have the opportunity to come back strong tomorrow if I endured the tough phase today.”
Also read: Veer Ahlawat builds three-shot lead in round two of Cidco Open
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