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DAY 2
DAY 1

December 4th 2010, New Delhi, India: Old warhorse Mukesh Kumar and local favourite Manav Jaini stayed in the title hunt with a 70 and 71 respectively to lie joint third, four behind the leader, Baek Seuk-hyun of South Korea.

Baek, who returned a four under 68 on Saturday, sits at the top with a total of 10 under 206. Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg also shot a 68 to be on the leader’s tail in second position at nine under 207.

Mukesh Kumar (70-70-70) and Manav Jaini (70-69-71) are four shots off the pace at six under 210. The Indian duo lies tied third along with Australian Unho Park and South Africa’s Jbe Kruger.

Mukesh Kumar had it all going for him when he birdied the first, fifth and eighth thanks to his superb short game. He then dropped bogeys on the 10th and 12th and slipped a few places on the leaderboard. Mukesh managed to pull one stroke back when he hit a brilliant approach shot on the 15th that landed a couple of feet from the pin.

Mukesh said, “I didn’t putt as per my expectations today. I really need to fire with the putter to stake my claim in the final round. If I had made the three feet birdie putt on the final hole, it would’ve served as a huge morale-booster for me. A couple of mistakes on the back nine stalled my progress.

“I might never have such a good chance of getting my hands on the biggest prize in Indian golf ever again in the future. So it’s imperative that I make the most of this opportunity. I have won almost every big title in Indian golf, but the Indian Open title has eluded me till date. It’s time to set the record straight.”

Manav Jaini made four birdies against three bogeys in his round of 71. The local lad was on a roll when his brilliant wedge shot on the 13th ended up one foot short of the flag and produced a birdie. He followed that up with another birdie on the 14th.

Jaini said, “I didn’t hit it well. Nonetheless, it’s a good one under as I scrambled through the day. I must admit that I was a little nervous on the first five to six holes since there was a huge crowd following me. I got into my rhythm with an excellent chip on the eighth that led to a birdie.

“The bogey on the 11th, courtesy a three-putt from the fringe was the biggest disappointment of the day.

“I definitely need to hit more greens in regulation in order to go deeper. I’ll strive for birdies on the first five holes in the final round.”

PGTI member Md Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh is tied for seventh at five under 211. His round of five under 67 happened to be the best score of day three.

The Indian trio of Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and Ashok Kumar is tied 12th at four under 212.

Shiv Kapur is placed tied 20th at three under 213.