Lahiri best Indian at tied ninth in Myanmar Open

YANGON - Anirban Lahiri was the best placed Indian in tied ninth place after the third round of the Air Bagan Myanmar Open here Saturday.

Lahiri added a third round 70 to his 70 and 68 on first two days. He was at eight-under 208.

Meanwhile Japans Tetsuji Hiratsuka maintained his lead after the third but hot on his heels is Thailands Prayad Marksaeng.

Of the other Indians in the field, Himmat Rai is tied 18th at six-under 210 after rounds of 70, 71 and 69. Gaganjeet Bhullar is tied 38th at 4-under 212 and Gaurav Pratap, who dropped after a first round 67 is at three-under 215 in tied 45th.

Firoz Ali and Digvijay Singh (two-over) were tied 66th, while Rahil Gangjee and C Muniyappa (three-over) were tied 68th.

Hiratsuka posted a three-under-par 69 for a three-day total of 18-under-par 198 to go into the final round with a three-stroke lead over Prayad who closed with a 67 in the $300,000 event, which is making a return on the Asian Tour Schedule after a four-year hiatus.

Hideto Tanihara, who was on 14-under before a double bogey on the 16th hole, signed off with a 70 for a three-day total of 204 while Thailands Thaworn Wiratchant (70) lies in fourth position on 206 at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club.

Veteran Boonchu Ruangkit (69) of Thailand, fresh from winning three Senior Masters titles, Japanese Kenichi Kuboya (70) and Australians Andrew Dodt (72) and Scott Hend (69) are tied in fifth position on 207.