Rashid Khan was the first to overcome a double bogey to win overnight leader S Chikkarangappa and go three shots into the final round of the $750,000 DGC Open at the Delhi Golf Course on Saturday. Rashid blasted a four-under 68 while Chikka passed two and still held a two-shot lead over the trio, who tied for third place.
While a steady downpour and swirling winds drastically altered course conditions after two benign days, Rashid and Chikka held their own on a day where the rankings reflected the weather. Thailand’s defending champion Nitithorn Thippong went from T-2 to T-52 overnight while Honey Baisoya jumped from T-49 to T-3 with Thai Chapchai Nirat.
Rashid, second on Day 3, rallied after a double bogey 7 on the first hole with third birdies over the next four holes. From there he went bogey-free and two birdies on the back nine gave him a cushion in the rankings. A total of six birdies left him 11-under for the tournament. Chikka struggled on the wet course, especially on the green in a loop without a single birdie.
Rashid used his driver just once on Saturday, relying mostly on 3-irons and 3-woods off the tee on the narrow course with unforgiving fairway thicket. “After the double bogey I hit back really well. I was just trying to find the green and give myself birdie opportunities. I also potted some really good putts today,” said the 32-year-old two-time Asian Tour winner.
The round began in fog and intermittent drizzle. Game operations were suspended for 45 minutes in the afternoon due to bad weather with a risk of lightning. It didn’t affect Rashid. He pocketed a birdie immediately after the restart and also shagged the par-5 14 to charge forward.
“The weather didn’t really affect me, although it’s difficult to make adjustments on a day like this. You have to judge your shots well, your caddy has to protect your clubs from getting wet and you have to stay dry,” said the 32-year-old. year old said.
Chikka was affected by the conditions. “The weather cooperated today. We always play in hotter and wetter conditions. Here, too, the first two days were quite warm,” he said.
“It takes a little time to get used to these conditions. It continued to rain and it was difficult to gauge how the greens would react. I lost some speed on the green; probably the weather and just a bit of rain slowed down the greens.”
Chasing his first Asian Tour title, Chikka hit the green as soon as his round was completed despite the persistent rain.
“There were a few things about putting that I wanted to iron out. I feel like I figured that out. If the conditions stay the same on Sunday, I’ll be ready,” said the 29-year-old.
Honey Baisoya made the big jump of the day, jumping 46 places in the adverse conditions.
“The swirling wind, more so than the rain, made it difficult to judge shots. Conditions were changing every 4-5 holes so you had to keep checking where the wind was coming from,” said the 26-year-old, who shot a bogey-free 7-under-65 (seven birdies).
Om Prakash Chouhan was third while SSP Chawrasia and Gaganjeet Singh Bhullar finished 12th.
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