Bhullar shoots 10-under, moves into sole lead

JAKARTA - Big-hitting Gaganjeet Bhullar worked his way past a weather stoppage and fading light in the evening to fire the best round of his fledgling professional career, to go into the lead after three rounds at the Indonesia President Invitational here Saturday.

Bhullar, fresh from his British Open experience, came back with a bogey-free 10-under 62, showing why he is considered one of the most promising youngsters on the Asian Tour. He finished his third round in near-darkness with an outstanding birdie on the 18th hole to move two shots clear of the field, where 27 players were yet to complete their third round.

Bhullar, tied 11th overnight, is now 17-under 199 at the Damai Indah Golf - Bumi Serpong Damai course and his nearest rival Australian Adam Blyth is lying at 15-under-par. Blyth was four under through 12 holes of his third round when play was suspended at 6 p.m.

“It feels almost like 2007 again, but there is still one day to go, 18 more holes to go,” said Bhullar, who turned professional at the start of 2007 and was the joint third round leader two years ago.

“Im confident going into the final round and Im hitting the ball well. I just hope to play like I played today. I took my chances and hit a good drive on the 18th fairway in the dark and I had no clue where my ball was. It was same for my second shot where I hit it straight but I couldnt see my ball landing but it landed about 15 feet and I two putted from there safely (for birdie), said Bhullar, who competed in his maiden British Open last week.

Among the other Indians making the cut were Amandeep Johl, who shot a third straight two-under 70 to be six-under 210 and tied 26th, while Rahil Gangjee moved up the ladder as he was three-under through 14 holes for the third round. At four-under for the tournament he is tied 43rd, up from 57th overnight. Anirban Lahiri slipped from overnight 15th to tied 54th as he carded a four-over 76.

In the morning when play resumed, Himmat Rai on the cut line missed out as he dropped a shot in the last three holes and went to even par and the cut came at one-under. Others missing the cut were Digvijay Singh, Gaurav Ghei, C. Muniyappa and Manav Jaini.

A storm in the early afternoon forced a four-hour suspension, which will mean 27 players will resume their rounds at 6.45 a.m. Sunday.

Bhullar doubtless would have on his mind the loss in the 2007 Indonesia President Invitational when he was beaten by one stroke by Filipino Juvic Pagunsans birdie-eagle finish.

Korea’s Ted Oh was also in the title hunt for his maiden victory, lying on 14-under-par through 14 holes where he was five-under for the day while Thailands Thammanoon Srirot, who won on this course in 1996, was a further shot back after charging into contention by getting to six-under through 16 holes. He has an eight-foot birdie putt on the 17th green in the morning.

With storms disrupting play for the past two days, Blyth knows it could come down to a mental test Sunday if he is to break through for his first Asian Tour victory. “It is a test with the stops and restarts. Weve got five holes left for tomorrow and well see what we can do but Bhullar is playing really well,” said Blyth.