Shubhankar Sharma of India continued his blistering form by shooting a third round seven-under-par 65 to take a five-shot lead at the Joburg Open on Saturday.

 
The 21-year-old birdied four in a row from the second hole before adding three birdies to surge to the top of the leaderboard on a 20-under-par 195 total at the R16.5 million (approximately US$1.2 million) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour and European Tour.

 

 

                         

                              Sharma's five-shot lead is also the largest advantage after 54 holes on the Asian Tour in 2017

 

 

After shooting a second round 61, the talented Sharma maintained his hot streak to put himself in prime position to secure a first Asian Tour victory at the Randpark Golf Club, Firethorn course.
 

Sharma holds a fairly dominant lead over his closest challenger Christofer Blomstrand of Sweden, who registered a sparkling 62 on his 26th birthday. James Morrison of England and Erik Van Rooyen of South Africa were a further six shots back of the lead following rounds of 67 and 70 respectively.  
 

The talented Indian will enter the final 18 holes as the leader for the first time in his career as he set his sights on the Joburg Open title and one of the three tickets available to The Open in 2018.
 

Sharma played solidly from tee-to-green and was rarely in trouble except on the par-four 18th hole when his approach shot landed in the greenside bunker. He stayed bogey-free when he superbly hit it out of the sand trap for a close range par putt.
 
Did you know?
 

• Sharma is bogey-free in his last 36 holes. He made three bogeys in the opening round but since then, he has kept a clean card.
• Sharma has never led heading into the final round. His five-shot lead is also the largest advantage after 54 holes on the Asian Tour in 2017.
• His 20-under-par total is the second lowest on the Asian Tour this year, one shot shy of Pat Perez’s three day effort at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia in October.
• Sharma has not won on the Asian Tour before but he is now in the running to become the first Asian to win the Joburg Open. This is also his first appearance in South Africa.
• He admits that he almost pulled out from the Joburg Open to take a much needed break before finally deciding to play in the prestigious tournament.
• Sharma shot a second round 61 which is the lowest on the Asian Tour in 2017 and his career’s best.
• Ranked 22nd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Sharma has enjoyed a great season so far highlighted by four top-10s and one tied fourth finish at the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open in February.
• Blomstrand was on a 59 watch when he was 11-under through 14 holes. He returned with three pars and a closing bogey to finish on a 62. He eagled the par-five four and 14th holes to charge into contention.
• The Swede made a huge move from 36th place to second position on a day where he celebrated his 26th birthday.
• Blomstrand has one win on the Sunshine Tour. The victory came at the 2016 Zambia Sugar Open.

 

Day 2: India's Sharma displays pure talent, shoots a sensational 10-under 61 at Joburg Open