Armed with gallant efforts, India’s Anirban Lahiri proved that he’s a true athlete with a lion’s heart. Lahiri mounted his comeback at the CIMB Classic with a flawless eight-under-par 64 to move to sixth place after the third round of the US$7 million event on Saturday.

 

 

                                            Anirban Lahiri showed power and grit to get a eight-under-par 64

 

Trailing American leader Pat Perez by nine shots, the Indian will have to produce another scintillating performance on the final day to stand any chance of capturing his eighth Asian Tour title and first PGA TOUR victory at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.

 

After signing for a disappointing 73 on the second day, Lahiri showed his battling spirit by charging back into the mix with a spotless card marked by eight birdies and a three-day total of 12-under-par 204.

 

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond continued his fairy tale run in his CIMB Classic debut. The 21-year-old continued to show no signs of nerve as he pit himself against some of the world’s best players at the Malaysian showpiece.

After rounds of 70, 69 and 66, Jazz will head into the final round in tied-seventh place, 10 shots back of Perez.

 

Anirban Lahiri said, “To go bogey free is important, and after yesterday’s disappointment it was important for me to try and get a little closer to give myself a run on Sunday. With the sun coming, the greens are just drying out a little bit so the ball’s rolling better, it’s a little faster.  Also, with the wet rough, it’s been really difficult.  That’s probably why the scoring was so bad yesterday.  So as you see the rough drying out, it will be a little bit more accessible. Well, it’s going to be 20 something that wins.  I’m at 12, so I’ll have to do at least what I did today or better to have a chance, but at least I’ll have a chance.  If I was 7 or 8 under going into tomorrow, I don’t think I would have a chance.  So I’m happy with getting myself at least somewhere close to the mix and we’ll see how it goes tomorrow,” said he.

 

Did you know?

• Lahiri posted his best round this week. It was also his first bogey-free round after 54 holes. He is currently in sixth place and trails Perez by nine shots.
• He missed only one green today while totaling 28 putts, his lowest so far this week.
• Lahiri tied for his second best 54-hole score at the CIMB Classic. He was also 12-under through 54 holes in 2015. Last year he was 19-under and led the tournament by four shots. He eventually finished in tied third place.
• His round of 64 is his best score at the CIMB Classic. He bettered last year’s effort of 65 which he also posted in the third round. However his personal best at TPC Kuala Lumpur is a 62 which he shot in the third round of the 2015 Malaysian Open. He went on to win the tournament.
• Lahiri’s best finish on the PGA Tour to date is a tied second place result at the Memorial Tournament earlier this year.
• Jazz is making his second PGA Tour start. He played at the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational in May where he missed the cut.
• He is currently tied in seventh place, 10 shots back from the leader Perez.
• This is his first appearance at the CIMB Classic. His score of 66 is his best so far this week.
• Jazz Janewattananond lost his Asian Tour card at the start of the year but earned his maiden breakthrough at the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open in February.