Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 30, 2009: Mohd. Jamal Hossain Mollah, the nineteen-year-old amateur from Bangladesh, extended his lead to two strokes in round three of the City Bank - Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Open 2009. Jamal, the overnight leader, shot four under 68 on Friday to take his total to 13 under 203. The local lad, who had returned scores of 68 and 67 in the first two rounds, is now staring at his maiden title triumph in a professional event. Delhi-based professional Shamim Khan (11 under 205), lies second at the moment as he trails the leader by two strokes. Lucknow's Sanjay Kumar is third at seven under 209.

Mohd. Jamal Hossain Mollah has turned out to be a revelation at the City Bank - Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Open 2009, much to the delight of the home supporters at the Kurmitola Golf Club. After impressing one and all with his near-flawless performance and positive attitude over the first two days, Mollah continued to be in the limelight on day three as he stretched his lead to two strokes, courtesy a solid round of 68.

Jamal picked up his first birdie of the day on the third after hitting his third shot (lob wedge) to within one foot of the pin. The bogey on the very next hole did not dent the spirit of this wiry teenager from Dhaka. He fought back by sinking birdies on the sixth, eighth and ninth to make the turn at three under.

A good recovery from the cart-path led to a birdie on the 14th and this was followed by a minor setback on the 16th, where Jamal missed a four-footer and made bogey. He then overtook Shamim and grabbed the sole lead by knocking in a birdie on the 17th, even as Shamim bogeyed the same hole. His incredible third shot with a lob wedge on the par five 17th left Mollah a six inch putt for birdie.

"This has easily been one of the most exciting weeks of my golfing career. My iron shots and driving has been consistent through the week. However, today my putting was not that great as compared to the first two days. A couple of missed putts from four feet led to bogeys on the fourth and 16th," said Mollah.

He added, "I hit my approach shots within one foot of the pin on three occasions today, but my best moment was on the par three eighth, where my six iron tee shot stopped one foot short of the pin. I did have my share of bad luck since two of my putts lipped-out but that was neutralized by a slice of good fortune on the first, where his wayward tee shot hit a tree and rebounded to land on the cart-path.

"I would like to continue playing my normal game in the final round and would aim to hit all fairways and make maximum greens in regulation." Shamim Khan (67, 69, 69) will lead the Indian challenge in round four. The experienced campaigner, looking for his fifth professional win, is expected to provide stiff competition to the leader. On Friday, Shamim birdied the third and fifth, before dropping his first bogey on the sixth. He then rallied to pick up birdies on the seventh, ninth and 12th. The 12th hole saw him convert a mammoth 35 feet putt for birdie.

The Delhi golfer dropped out of the joint lead by making bogey on the 17th. Jamal birdied the same hole to go two strokes ahead. Shamim said, "I was not happy with my iron play and driving today. I missed a number of close putts today. But the silver lining was the par on the tough 13th hole (island green). I had made bogeys on this hole in the first
two rounds."

He added, "Jamal has been playing some fantastic golf. His brilliant hitting and cool temperament have served him well during this tournament. He doesn't seem to feel any kind of pressure. However, tomorrow's round will be a true test for him since the mental aspect becomes very important when you are within striking range of victory."

Sanjay Kumar (69, 69, 71) of Lucknow occupies third place at seven under 209 while Gaganjeet Bhullar, Vijay Kumar and Harmeet Kahlon share fourth position at five under 211.

Harendra Gupta's total of four under 212 places him seventh. Bangladesh's Mohd Siddikur Rahman and Shahid Khan share eighth place along with Kolkata's Rahil Gangjee at three under 213.