A second successive flawless round of 67 brought India's Rahil Gangjee into contention for his first Asian Tour title since 2004, as he moved within three shots of leader, Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol, at the $300,000 Zaykabar Myanmar Open in Yangon on Saturday.
Following on the second round of 66, Gangjee, who won a title back in 2004 when the Asian Tour was set up, has been bogey-free for the last 36 holes and is now placed tied fifth at 12-under 204 at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.
Himmat Rai (67) also brought home a fine third round to move up to tied 24th at eight-under 208, while Ajeetesh Sandhu (73) was five-under 211 in tied 49th. Sujjan Singh (71) and Shankar Das (71) were tied 57th at four-under 212.
Chawalit grabbed the third round lead with a critical birdie on the last for four-under-par 68. Chawalit, a three-time Asian Tour winner, leads by one-shot over Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who slipped to second despite saving par on the last when his tee shot found water for a 71.
Gangjee said, “The third days are generally dry days for me, but today seem totally different. I was hoping to feel the same as yesterday and I did, so it was good. Today was a little bit windier so I lowered my expectations. I told myself that if I could make some putts it would be good.”
He added, “It has been a while since I've featured on the leaderboard, so I'm pretty happy. I made a birdie on number 13. It was a fast and downhill 30 footer which went straight in the middle of the hole. I was lucky it went in because the ball was really travelling.”
Filipino Angelo Que was flawless in a round of 66 as he shared the third place with opening round leader Chapchai Nirat (67) of Thailand.
Gangjee, Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand and Darren Beck of Australia were a further shot back in fifth.
On a blustery day, Chawalit held a two-shot cushion after three straight birdies from the 12th hole, but he posted a double bogey on 16.
