Chawan holds his own as Thais Jazz, Poosit shares the lead in Kensville

Flying photo of Thai Jazz Janewattanond, co-leader of the Bharath Classic Gujarat golf tournament played at Kensville Goilf Ressort near Ahmedabad. Image courtesy of Asian Tour.

By Rahul Banerji

Ahmedabad: Amateur Ishaan Chawan continued to lead the home leg in a tie for third place at the $500,000 Bharath Classic Gujarat golf tournament on Saturday with his third straight round in the 60s.

At the top, Jazz Janewattanond, the Asian Tour’s highest-ranked player, had compatriot Poosit Supupramai for company after day three with a total of 15 under par at the Kensville Golf Resort near here.

Poosit’s 6 under 66 on the day was boosted by an ace on the. Par 3 16th hole.

One day the tournament switched to shotgun mode and the lead changed hands repeatedly over 18 holes. Chawhan, who returned to play after injury setbacks, was on 12 under the total, three behind the leaders.

Ahmedabad-based Chawhan (67-69-68) saw his total on Kensville’s 7,210-metre par 72 circuit matched by Korea’s Heemin Chang (64-69-71) and Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat (68-66-70), whose last Asian Tour victory came in 2018.

Just three weeks ago, Chawan, 22, secured a top five finish at an IGU event on this course, although he calls the Kalhaar Blues and Greens his home base.

Quiet display

Together with experienced professionals and international winners, the young amateur has more than held his own.

“I’ve had knee, back and wrist injuries and lost a lot of time. Only in the past year have I gotten my game back into shape,” said the soft-spoken amateur.

“I got pain in my knee while playing football and then the other injuries followed.”

“I play a lot at Kalhaar and also here in Kensville,” said Chawhan, whose last event, the Gujarat Amateur, took place at this course less than a month ago and he finished in the top 5.

“I like this course. But I won’t get ahead of myself and just keep playing like I have been doing,” he added.

Carlos Pigem (71) and Steve Lewton (69) were tied for sixth on 11 under, while former Indian Open winner Siddikur Rahman (67), overnight leader Wooyoung Cho (74), Witchayapat Sinsrang (69) and Ekpharit Wu (70) shared eighth place on 10 under total.

Top professionals

Yuvraj Sandhu (72-66-69), Shaurya Binu 72-66-69), Aman Raj (73-68-66) and Pukhraj Singh Gill (66-70-71) were the top-ranked home professionals tied for 12th with a total of 9 under par alongside Thailand’s Sette Prakongvech.

“Three under today wasn’t a bad effort and I’m happy with the way my game is going,” PGTI Rankings leader Sandhu said later.

Former Asian Tour winner Ajeetesh Sandhu (70) shared 17th place at 8 under with James Piot (70) of the US and Shin-chang Chan of Taipei (69).

Chawhan started from the tenth next to tee Gill and England’s Lewton. After four pars he had consecutive wins, but he dropped a shot on 18.

He then played steadily and picked up three more birdies without further damage to his card.

Aman Raj birdied each of the four par 5s and had seven birdies against one bogey, while Yuvraj Sandhu had four birdies against one drop shot.

Raj, who has been in good form this season, said: “It was good to get a low score and there is still one day to go.”

Strong start

From the tenth tee, Jazz, a former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, started strongly with three birdies in his first five holes and finished with four birdies in his last six holes.

“It was good, bogey-free is always nice,” said the Thai. “I made some good birdies there too, I’m really happy with where my game is going.

“There’s a few that I left on the golf course. I didn’t take all the chances on the par fives and things like that. I definitely grabbed a few.”

“The par fours, I don’t think I can play the par fours better than this, but I can definitely play the par fives a little bit better.”

Also read: Chawhan and Gill lead Indian attack while Cho leads the field in Kensville

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