Anirban Lahiri-Filepic
Greensboro, NC, Aug 7: Anirban Lahiri still had seven holes to play in his third round as he lay Tied fifth in the weather-hit Wyndham Championship. Lahiri who 66-67 in his first two rounds was 3-under through 11 holes in the third when play ended early on the third day. Lahiri was 10-under after being 11-under and in shared lead at one stage.
Lahiri had four birdies in a span of five holes from fifth to ninth and turned in 4-under but dropped a shot on 11th, the result of a six-foot par miss. His all-around game has once again been in great shape and at fifth and just two shots behind Korean star Sungjae Im, the Indian now in his seventh year on the PGA Tour is looking to get his first win.
Lahiri stood at 3-under through 11 holes and 10-under for the tournament, and was one of those who welcomed the suspension of play as he had made bogey on the 11th hole, which spoilt his card after birdies on Hole No. 5, 7, 8 and 9.
Korean Im moved into a share of the lead with American Brandon Wu on Saturday as weather disruptions hit the third round. Fellow Korean Joohyung “Tom” Kim is lying one back while Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand was also in title contention as he was tied fifth with Lahiri.
Smooth-swinging Im, who is chasing a third PGA TOUR win and second of the season, made four birdies through 11 holes for a tournament total of 12-under as two weather breaks ensured 74 players resuming their rounds on Sunday, 7.30am.
Entering the week at No. 15 in the FedExCup; the 24-year-old Im needs a two-way tie for second or better to have a chance of finishing in the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10, which pays US$1 million to the 10th ranked player. Scottie Scheffler has already clinched top spot and will earn US$4 million.
Kim, 20, continued to produce some wonderful golf as he birdied Hole No. 5 and 6 to stay in the running for a dream victory, a week after securing enough FedExCup points to earn his PGA TOUR card for next season. A win will earn him immediate membership with the PGA TOUR and a spot in the FedExCup Playoffs.
The big-hitting Kiradech snuck in a career low 63 as he gave himself a final chance to salvage his season and retain his TOUR card. Hitting 17 greens in regulation, he charged up to tied fifth and will enjoy the luxury of a sleep-in on Sunday having completed his third round.
He is currently ranked a lowly 197th on the FedExCup Playoffs and Eligibility List and needs a solo second or better to have a chance of breaking into the top-125 to keep his card and qualify for the first of three Playoffs events in Memphis next week.
