Delhi-NCR Open: Manu Gandas, Amardeep Malik share lead after third round

Noida, April 21

Manu Gandas of Gurugram and Amardeep Malik of Noida were sharing the lead after the third round at the Delhi-NCR Open 2022 being played at the Noida Golf Course.

On a day that was a lot cooler due to the overcast conditions but much more windy compared to the previous two days, Manu Gandas (65-69-67) and Amardeep Malik (65-67-69) were tied for the third-round lead at 15-under 201. With a four-shot advantage over the rest of the field, they continued to be the top title contenders in the Rs. 40 lakh event.

While Gandas struck a determined five-under 67 to climb one spot and join Malik in the lead once again after round one, Malik produced a fine three-under 69 to be at the top of the leaderboard for the third day in succession.

A fascinating final day lies in prospect as Gandas has been in great form with a win and two other top-10 finishes this season and is placed fifth on the PGTI Order of Merit.

Amardeep Malik, on the other hand, enjoys the advantage of playing at his home course where he has won both his previous titles.

Bangladesh's Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (69) occupies the third place at 11-under 205.

Panchkula's Angad Cheema carded the day's lowest score of 66 to end in fourth place at 10-under 206. Noida's Vikrant Chopra too returned a 66 to be placed tied sixth at eight-under 208.

Gandas, a two-time winner on the PGTI, was struggling to read the greens early in the round as he missed short putts on the first three holes which also led to a bogey on the third.

However, the 26-year-old quickly addressed the issue and struck three birdies that followed on the front nine. He brought his chipping into the game on the back-nine where his chip shots were instrumental in earning him three more birdies and two important par-saves.

Malik, the overnight sole leader by two shots, mixed five birdies with two bogeys on Friday. The 36-year-old Malik capitalised on three of the four par-5s, chipped in for a birdie on the 10th and landed his approach within a foot for a tap-in birdie on the 12th. Malik's long-range birdie putts narrowly missed the pins on the last two holes.

Chandigarh's Abhijit Singh Chadha (72) is in fifth place at nine-under 207.