Angad Cheema opens the pole position in Coal India

Day three Coal India Open leader Angad Cheema of Chandigarh in action in the Kensville Golf and Country Club in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Image Courtesy Pgti.

By Rahul Banerji

KDGT 2025 Winner Angad Cheema shot a moving day 3 under Par 69 to take the lead in round three of the India Coal Open in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Chandigarh golfer Cheema’s 54-hole Total in the Kensville Golf & Country Club read 11-Under 205 (69-67-69), the PGTI said.

Overnight leader Amardeeep Malik (69-65-72) from Noida fell to the second at 10 under 206.

Another Chandigarh golfer, Karandep Kochhar (69-70-69), third place kept two strokes behind Malik.

Pune’s Udayan Mane who opened with a 78, shot a second straight 66 to win 11 places and share fourth place at 6 under 210 with Arjun Prasad of Delhi (69).

The Delhi -based Rakshit Dahiya, the only amateur who made the cut, ended the day in 10^one Position on 2 under 214 with a round of 71.

Ahmedabad’s Varun Parikh came with a 72 to share 13^one Place at level par 216.

Cheema, two shots behind Malik at night, made a rock-solid start with pars all the way through the front nine.

Shoot back

The 35-year-old started with a bogey with a bogey, but then came back roaring with four birdies, including three of between 10 and 15 feet.

“I played a steady round today and got all greens in regulations,” said the April winner in Bangalore later.

“My putter became hot on the rear nine who helped to sink many long puts. That was the big difference between my front nine and the closing of nine.

“Playing the qualifying event of the Open this summer was a memorable experience and gave me great exposure when I participated in a strong field on a left course in circumstances that are totally different from what we are used to here in India.

“I would say it has benefited my game a lot. Taking a break from golf during the low season also helped me to perform fresh and enthusiastic to perform well.”

Overnight leader Malik made three birdies and three bogeys on Thursday to fall to the second, but is only one blow behind Cheema.

Read also: Malik takes a two -stroke lead in round two of Coal India

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