Shrestha, who played a disastrous round of 4-over 76 on Thursday after scoring 7-under 65 on Wednesday, made a comeback in the third round.[break]
In an interesting turn of events, three players -- Shrestha, Vijay Kumar and Abhijit Chadha -- were in a three-way tie for lead at 8-under 208 at the end of the penultimate round on Friday. The Surya Nepal Masters 2012 is a jointly sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India and the Nepal Professional Golfers Association.
Former Indian Open winner Vijay Kumar, went ahead by four shots against the rest of the field at the end of the 12th hole, courtesy three birdies and an eagle but dramatically dropped four shots in the next five holes and missed a six-footer birdie putt on the 18th to submit a card of 2-under 70. Similarly young Abhijit after having played some good golf was sitting for a three-feet birdie putt on the finishing hole.
Reading the line wrong, the 20-year-old, who is playing in only his second professional event on the PGTI Tour, lost an opportunity to grab the sole lead, missing the putt narrowly to submit a card of 3-under 69.
Clearly, the best performer of the day Shrestha fired seven birdies for a 67 but for the bogey on the 14th.
“My putting is still a worry for me. I should have ended the day on a better note than the 67 but for some small putts I missed my way,” said Shiva after the round.
Mukesh Kumar was in the sole fourth position, two shots behind the leader at 6-under 210. A shot further were the duo of Gaurav Pratap Singh and Sanjay Kumar who were tied for the fifth spot.
Tashi Tsering the lone amateur was tied for the 25th place at 220 after shooting a 74 in the third round. Toran Bikram Shahi was the next best Nepali professional who was in the 20th position at 219 after a third round 74.
The final 18 holes will decide the new champion of the Surya Nepal Masters 2012 on Saturday.
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