Dhole Patil breaks course record and shares Cidco Open lead – Tee Time Tales

Pune’s Rohan Dhole Patil was on target at the Kharghar Valley course, setting a course record and moving into a share of the Cidco Open’s third rpund lead alongside Veer Ahlawat on Thursday. Image courtesy of PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Rohan Dhole Patil rewrote the course record with a 7-under par 64 to take the lead at 10-under 203 with Veer Ahlawat in the third round of the Cidco Open in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

The night’s leader Ahlawat returned 2 over 73 in the Rs 1 crore event presented by Larsen & Toubro at the Kharghar Valley Golf Course, the PGTI said.

Dhole Patil (70-69-64), seeking his first title, eclipsed the course record of 65 set by Ahlawat (65-65-73) in the first round.

The Pune golfer climbed nine places after being ranked 10th overnight, while DLF’s Ahlawat, who was the sole leader for the first two days, retained his position at the top of the leaderboard.

Nepal’s Subash Tamang (71-68-65), another player looking for his first win, also made big gains with his 65, moving up seven places in the rankings at 9-under 204.

Italian Michele Ortolani (67-66-72) again finished the day in fourth place at 8 under 205.

Dhole Patil, who was nine ahead of the leader 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 could not break Dhole Patil’s momentum as he continued the good work by adding an eagle from 18 feet and another four birdies thanks to solid chipping and putting.

Finding answers

“It was a day where all aspects of my game came together and delivered results,” said Dhole Patil.

“I have worked to achieve this. My chipping and putting were particularly sharp on the back nine.

“I’m really enjoying myself at KVGC. It’s a real test of skills. Breaking a course record is always a special feeling and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the final round.

“Cidco has done a great job with this golf course. I played here when it was a nine-hole course, but the layout has changed since then.”

Ahlawat did not have the best day with three birdies and five bogeys, but still managed to stay in the lead for the third day in a row.

“I had a tough day and didn’t putt very well. I also didn’t hit it well on the shorter holes where I should have taken advantage,” he said.

“But the race still feels good. My plan was to stay close to the lead because I was aware that today was just a bad day.

“I know I have the chance to come back strong tomorrow if I get through the difficult phase today.”

Also read: Veer Ahlawat builds three-shot lead in round two of Cidco Open

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