Naman Dawar maintained his two-shot lead, going into the final round with a total of 11-under 210, in the Rs 20 lakh Tata Open golf tournament, being played on the twin courses of Beldih and Golmuri.
Dawar shot a third round one-under 69 that was played on both courses. He is being chased by an experienced foursome, all of whom are two behind him.
Vivek Bhandari was the man who held the spotlight with a sizzling seven-under 63 that carried him up the leaderboard.
Bhandari, who like Dawar plays at the Delhi Golf Club, has been through injury and lapse in form in last couple of seasons. He had birdies on the first, second, fourth and eighth and a bogey on third as he turned in three-under. On the back nine, which was on Beldih, he birdied the tenth, 12th,16th and 18th.
Tied second is seasoned Ali Sher, who had a round of one-under 69, defending champion SSP Chowrasia (67) and Chandigarh's talented Harinder Gupta (67).
Dawar, looking for his maiden professional win in India, had four birdies and thee bogeys in his round. He birdied the second, sixth, seventh and 12th and dropped shots on the third, fifth and 13th.
"I am just going to play my game and not worry about the lead. I don't want to put any pressure on myself. It is just a matter of getting the right shots and going through my routine," said Dawar, who plays almost all his golf at the Delhi Golf Club.
Two-time champion Chowrasia looked like giving Dawar a run for his money. He had birdies on first, second, fifth, seventh and 18th and no bogeys. But he did have a double bogey on the sixth, which set him back, else he may shared the lead.
"I am only two behind and will give a shot at the title," said Chowrasia.
Harinder Gupta, playing with Chowrasia, shot a bogey-free round with three birdies on the seventh, 12th and 13th.
Ali Sher's 69 included birdies on the seventh, 11th,12th,16th and 17th. He had bogeys on the second, 14th and a double bogey on the ninth, which spoilt his card.
Digvijay Singh shot a even par 70 for a total of seven-under for three days; he is four behind the leader. He had birdies on the seventh and 12th and bogeys on third and 16th.
Rahil Gangjee was done in by a three-putt bogey on last hole and his one-under 69 saw him total six-under 206 and take sole seventh place.
Playing in the second last group S Madaiah had an off day and he shot a disastrous four-over par 74 which moved him down the leaderboard to tied 11th.
The players played nine holes one each for a total par of 70. The leaders teed off at Golmuri and finished at Beldih.
Leading scores: Third round, played nine holes on Beldih and nine holes on Golmuri for a combined par of 70.
201: Dawar, Naman 69-63-69
203: Ali Sher 68-66-69; SSP Chowrasia 72-64-67; Harinder Gupta 69-67-67; and Vivek Bhandari 69-71-63
205: Digvijay Singh 71-64-70
206: Rahil Gangjee 71-66-69
207: ROhit Chaudhary 68-70-69
208 Rafick Ali Mollah 66-72-70
209: Randhir Ghotra 71-71-67
210: S Madaiah 68-68-74; Gurki Shergill 66-75-69; Amardip Sinh Malik 71-70-69
211: Anura Rohana 73-65-73; Gaurav P.Singh 68-73-70; PS Guleria 71-71-69; Ranjit Singh 70-72-69; Shankar Das 73-70-68; Uttam Singh Mundy 70-73-68.
