Baisoya builds solid lead at the DP World Players Championship

Day three DP World Players Championship leader Honey Baisoya in action at the Qutab Golf Course on Thursday. Image courtesy of DP World PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Honey Baisoya stormed to a five-shot lead on Moving Day of the Rs 1.5 crore DP World Players Championship at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi on Thursday.

Baisoya posted the day’s best score of 6-under-par 64 to build an imposing lead over the field with a day to go, according to the DP World PGTI.

Baisoya (63-65-64) finished second on the night, one shot behind day two leader Jhared Hack of the US, and made seven birdies and a bogey on Thursday to take his 54-hole total to 18-under 192.

The 29-year-old, from the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon, is a seven-time winner of the DP World PGTI and is looking to end a five-year title wait since his last win in 2021.

Jamal Hossain (65-54-68) gained one place with a 68 on day three and moved to second at 13-under 197.

On day one, leader Kshitij Naveed Kaul (65), Hack (71), Tapendra Ghai (66) and Veer Ahlawat (66) were tied for third place at 12 under 198.

Dialed in

Baisoya’s putter helped him make an early profit on Thursday when he rolled in three birdies from between 10 and 15 feet on the first six holes.

He also recovered well after finding danger on the fifth, where a bogey limited the damage.

Baisoya, who finished second at the DP World PGTI event held in Qutab last year, then added four more birdies on the back nine.

Three of those came on the last four holes, where he played some excellent chip shots and left a few tap-ins.

“My putting stood out this week and today I had 12 single putts that made the day,” Baisoya said.

“I also regularly hit the middle of the fairway from the tee and also played some quality chip shots. I did well to put the disappointment of the bogey behind me and come back with a birdie on the next hole.

Set a goal

“Out of 10^e tee, I told my caddy that my goal is to chase 20 under today and if I focus on that it will give me a good shot at the title.

“I managed to get close to 20 under and position myself well for the last day.”

Second-placed Hossain mixed four birdies with two bogeys in his third round.

Kaul made his second shot from the fairway and took an Eagle-Two on the Par-4 18^e that helped him finish the day with a 65.

Also read: Hack storms to lead at DP World Players Championship halfway through

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