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| January 21, 2007 | Sunday | Muharram 01, 1428 |
Airil fires solid 64 to take lead: Pakistan Open Golf
KARACHI, Jan 20: Malaysia’s Airil Rizman Zahari is on course to a maiden title after his superb eight-under-par 64 which earned him a third round lead at the Pakistan Open on Saturday.
Nailing nine birdies against a lone bogey, Airil equalled the course record set by defending champion Chris Rodgers last year. The Malaysian, with a 17-under-par 199 total, took a three stroke lead over Englishman Simon Hurd at the Karachi Golf Club.
Hurd, who is ranked 48th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit last year, dropped a spot to joint second place after a 69. Rookie Scott Hend of Australia fired his second straight 66 also in tied second place while Mohammad Shabbir was the highest ranked local player in lone fourth spot after a 67 six strokes behind the leader.
India’s Digvijay Singh enjoyed a steady bogey-free round with six birdies for a 66 as he was in tied fifth spot together with Filipino talent Tony Lascuna who blasted a 67. Rodgers shot his best round of 68 in joint seventh spot while India’s Rahil Gangjee was in a similar position after a 69 for a 207 total.
“I’m so happy. Everything worked out well today. Simon (Simon Hurd) and Scott (Scott Hend) were excellent playing partners. They are very friendly and that helped me relax on course. I really appreciated their support as it was definitely a contributing factor to my low score today as I did not feel pressured,” admitted Airil.
Leading third round scores:
199 - Airil Rizman Zahari (MAS) 67-68-64
202 - Simon Hurd (ENG) 68-65-69, Scott Hend (AUS) 70-66-66
205 - Mohammad Shabbir (PAK) 66-72-67
206 - Digvijay Singh (IND) 71-69-66, Tony Lascuna (PHI) 70-69-67
207 - Chris Rodgers (ENG) 69-70-68, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 71-67-69
208 - Mitchell Brown (AUS) 70-71-67, Olle Nordberg (SWE) 72-66-70, Ashok Kumar (IND) 71-66-71
209 - Nam Young-woo (KOR) 72-70-67, Amandeep Johl (IND) 72-69-68, Shane Baxter (AUS) 70-68-71, Barry Hume (SCO) 68-68-73
210 - Scott Barr (AUS) 72-70-68, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 69-72-69, Amardip Malik (IND) 69-71-70, Mark Mouland (WAL) 70-69-71, Yeh Chang-ting (TPE) 69-69-72.—Agencies
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