SCORESHEET
Day 2
Day 1

November 27th 2009, Mumbai: Mukesh Kumar of Mhow and Bangalore’s C Muniyappa are the joint leaders at 11 under 159 after round three of the Aircel-PGTI’s Crompton Greaves Open 2009, a Rs. 80 lakh event being played at The Willingdon Sports Club, Mumbai. Mukesh carded a four under 60 in round three while Muniyappa returned a card of two under 62. Australia’s Kunal Bhasin and Delhi golfer Shamim Khan are tied third at 10 under 160.

The course at The Willingdon Sports Club is undergoing renovation and being re-turfed. As a result of this, holes 7, 8 and 9 are not in play during this event. However, 18 holes will constitute one stipulated round in round three and four. The players will play holes 1 to 6 and then holes 10 to 18 before repeating holes 1, 2 and 3. The par for the course in round three and four is 64.

Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh Kumar (51, 48, 60), the 2007-08 Aircel-PGTI Order of Merit winner, shot into contention with a solid round of four under on Friday. Mukesh, who was in fifth place after round two, came up with some great bunker shots to set up birdie putts within four feet on the fourth, fifth, 12th and 18th. The 44-year-old also hit it quite close on the ninth, 11th and 14th, the other holes where he picked up birdies. He bogeyed the eighth, 10th and 16th.

Mukesh said, “I hit some really good bunker shots today. I also had a couple of outstanding tee shots on the ninth and 11th, both of which landed within six feet of the pin. However, I felt I made too many bogeys today.” He added, “I win at this event is essential to boost my chances of winning the Aircel-PGTI Order of Merit title this year. But it’s not going to be easy on the final day as Muniyappa has been in good form in recent months and Shamim Khan, who is just one stroke behind, is capable of putting up a stiff challenge.”

Muniyappa (49, 48, 62) made six birdies against four bogeys on Friday in his round of 62. He hit an amazing four-iron second shot to within four feet to make birdie on the first. He then chipped-in from the left edge on the ninth for another remarkable birdie.

“I had an average round today and made too many bogeys for my liking. The chip-in on the ninth and the approach shot on the first were the best moments of the day for me. I was trying to attack the pins but did not hit it well and missed far too many greens,” said Muniyappa, who was overnight tied second.

He went on to add, “I’m confident that I’ll be able to improve my performance during the final round in order to be in contention till the very end.”

Kunal Bhasin and Shamim Khan are tied third at 10 under 160 while Gurki Shergill, Feroz Ali Mollah, Harmeet Kahlon and Shaquill Shane lie tied fifth at eight under 162.