SSP Chawrasia makes a move on third day, rises to sixth in Manila

Manila: Indian golfer SSP Chawrasia played a bogey-free round of five-under 67 to make a significant upsurge in the third round and be tied sixth at the Resorts World Manila Masters here.

The three-time Asian Tour winner, Chawrasia shot four birdies on the back-nine to get to nine-under 207 overall.

Chawrasia is five shots behind the leader, Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei, who carded four-under 68. Lying second was South African Jbe Kruger (69).

Among other Indians, Rahil Gangjee (70) was Tied-12th at eight-under 208, while the rest of the Indians were way behind. S Chikkarangappa (72) was three-under 213 and tied-44th, Shubhankar Sharma (72) was tied-50th at two-under and Jyoti Randhawa (74) was even par 216 in Tied-54th place.

Shiv Kapur (76) and Chiragh Kumar (75) were 63rd and 65th.

Chawrasia was pleased with his round and said, "I played very good today. I am very happy that I didn't make any bogeys which was great. I made a 30-footer for birdie on par-four 11th which got my game going. I missed a few putts for birdies out there but I saved a lot for pars as well. Overall, it was a good round.

"It was less windy when I played today actually, compared to the last two rounds. My playing partner, Sam Brazel, also shot a 67 today. I think both of us rub off the good vibes from each other. I am looking forward to tomorrow now that I've put myself in the mix. I will try my best again tomorrow."

Chawrasia birdied the third and then parred the next seven holes. The birdie on the 11th gave him the momentum he was looking for. He then birdied 12th, 15th and 18th for a round of 67.

Gangjee had three birdies in first even holes, but then ran out of birdies. A bogey on 13th also set him back and he was eight-under 208 for 54 holes.

Chinese Taipei's Hung Chien-yao birdied three of his last five holes to pull one-shot clear of Kruger. The 23-year-old Hung, the overnight co-leader, jostled with Kruger all day at a sun-kissed Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club before edging ahead with a four-under 68 and a 14-under 202 aggregate to remain in pole position for a maiden Asian Tour victory.

Kruger, chasing a second title in Asia, signed for a 69 which included a 12-foot eagle on 15, while another Chinese Taipei youngster Lee Chieh-po battled to a 71 to trail in third place, three off the lead.

Thailand's Natipong Srithong fired a fine 66 to move into contention on 206 in tied fourth position with Spaniard Carlos Pigem, who enjoyed a bogey-free 67 in the richest golf tournament in the Philippines.