Jyoti Randhawa Moved Two Places, From Tied Eighth to Tied Sixth at The End of The Third Round in The WGC-HSBC Champions

Jyoti Randhawa seems to have found his rhythm and focus at the right time as he added another two-under 70 on a difficult day to keep in sight a first-ever top five finish in a World Golf Championship (WGC).

The Indian moved two places, from tied eighth to tied sixth at the end of the third round in the WGC-HSBC Champions.

Randhawa was the highest Asian at eight-under 208 and six shots adrift of Phil Mickelson, who with a stunning 67 moved two shots ahead of joint overnight leader Tiger Woods. Woods (70) was tied for second with Nick Watney (70) and the duo was two behind Mickelson, who last month beat Woods in the year-ending tournament in US.

Randhawa, who is chasing a first career top-10 finish in a WGC event, could also squeeze into the top-60 in the European Money List and make it to the Gulf Nation for a shot at the first-ever staging of the lucrative Race to Dubai. A finish in top-four or five could raise Randhawa from his present 114th place to top-60.

No Asian player has won a WGC event, and the best by an Indian is tied-fourth by Jeev Milkha Singh earlier this year at WGC-CA event, while Thongchai Jaidee also has one top-10 in a WGC event.

Randhawa said: “I have been struggling for the last few months and I guess it came at the right time.

Any time you shoot under par on this golf course, it’s good, because the way they tuck the pins, it’s playing really tough. I’m very happy and lucky to be where I am and let’s hope I can carry on.”

Jeev, the highest Indian in world golf rankings and who has booked his place for Race to Dubai, made an upward jump with his best round of the week at two-under 70, which gave him a total of one-under 215.

He moved from tied 45th to tied 32nd.