Rashid rallies on back nine, lies tenth at Asian Amateur golf

Shenzen (China), Oct 31 : Indian golfer Rashid Khan once again showcased his immense potential with a terrific rally on the back nine to keep himself in line for a good finish at the inaugural Asian Amateur Championships at Mission Hills here Saturday.

Rashid, who was tied fifth after the second round had a disastrous front nine, as he went five-over for 41 with a double bogey and three other bogeys. But he pulled back on the home stretch with three birdies in a row from tenth to 12th and then despite two more bogeys on 14th and 15th, he did not give up and turned in birdies on 16th and 17th for a hard-fought 74. He was now two-under 214 and in tied 10th place.

"There was no way I was going to give up even after the poor start. I knew a couple of birdie could change the momentum," said Rashid.

The leaders were Koreans Han Chang-won (66-69-71) and Eric Chun (74-68-66) and both were 10-under for three rounds. Overnight leader Jordan Sherrat (74) dropped to third at eight-under.

Abhishek Jha moved up five place to tied 40th with a third round of 73 and he was five-over 221 for three rounds. The only other Indian to make the cut Vikram Rana added a third round 75 and he eight-over 224 and in 53rd place as against 52nd overnight.

The inaugural tournament offers an invitation to the 2010 Masters Tournament as a reward for the champion, with both the winner and the runner(s)-up earning places in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship being played next year at St Andrews.

--IANS