Lohan leads, Rashid closes in at Classic Open Amateur

But the Faridabad golfer will have to stave off the challenge from the chasing pack if he hopes to pocket his maiden title on the tour as close on his heels is Delhi lad Rashid Khan, at one-under 143 for the tournament, who is making his intent clear with a round of three-under 69 on the day three.

Abhishek Jha and Manav Das moved up the leaderboard after they too returned with cards of 69. At level-par for the tournament, they were tied for third place alongside overnight leader Vikram Rana, who fell back with a round of three-over 75.

Arshdeep Tiwana and Kanishk Madan shot rounds of two-under 70 to be one shot further back, tied for sixth place and just three shots behind the leader.

But it was the 18-year-old Rashid who mounted a spirited charge early on in the third round. After just six holes, the Delhi youngster was four-under for the day and was in front of the field for the first time this week after starting his campaign with a 76 in the first round. But just when it looked like the six-time winner on tour would pull away, a bogey on the par-4 seventh halted his momentum and it was a more industrious round for him thereafter.

Abhinav, meanwhile, was playing a more sedate round as he made eight straight pars before a birdie on the par-5 ninth helped him take over the lead. He dropped a shot on the par-3 11th but bounced right back with a birdie on the next hole. Another run of six straight pars till the close of play ensured that he would be going into the final round as the sole leader for the second consecutive tournament on tour. ''I was hitting the ball really well and I hit as many as 16 greens in regulation but the putts never found their mark. I should have had a few more birdies but I guess I am satisfied with where am I right now and hopefully this time around I can clinch the win,'' said Lohan.

Rashid, playing without his regular caddy, expressed greater confidence about his chances. ''I was extremely tired when I had started the week, playing just a few hours after returning to India. But now I am back in the zone and I really want to play well enough to win tomorrow,'' said the Delhi Golf Club player who overcame a big deficit in the final round of the LG Northern India to win his last tournament on tour.

With eight players within four shots of the lead, including experienced names like Abhishek Jha and Manav Das right in the mix, it promises to be an entertaining final round at the Classic Golf Resort.

-- (UNI) -- 05SPD37.xml

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