Leader Dustin Johnson and Shubhankar. Pic: Getty Images/ ET
KAEC, Saudi Arabia, Feb 7: Shubhankar Sharma had putting woes and ended up missing the cut by one shot in the Saudi International at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club. Sharma, who shot one-under 69 in the first round, completed his second round in 2-over 72. His total of one-over fell one short of the cut line.
When play ended early on Friday, Sharma was 2-over through 12 holes, and needed to make up some ground to ensure weekend action. But in his last six holes, he gave away one more shot on sixth, his 15th hole and managed just one birdie on the seventh and exited.
Dustin Johnson, World No. 1, flawless for 48 holes, survived a double on Par-4 13th and then finished birdie-birdie for a third round 66. His earlier rounds were 67-64. Johnson, who saw 11-foot eagle putt slide past the cup, birdied it and is now 13-under and two shots ahead of Victor Perez (67-66-66).
Johnson’s nearest challenger is France’s Ryder Cup hopeful Victor Perez who carded a round of 66 to move to 11 under par.
Four players, Tyrrell Hatton (67-67-66), Soren Kjeldsen (69-66-65), Tony Finau (68-65-67) and Andy Sullivan (66-66-68) are all tied third at 10-under.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia posted the lowest round of the day, a six under par 64, and is one of seven players in a share of seventh position on nine under par, along with Norway’s Viktor Hovland (67) and former World Number One Martin Kaymer (66).
Second round co-leader, Stephen Gallacher carded 2-over 72 in the third round and dropped to T-14 at 8-under. Ryan Fox dropped from shared second round lead to T-7 after a round of 71.
Earlier, Gallacher and Fox shared the lead heading into round three but Dustin Johnson was just a shot back.
The tournament is being telecast live in India on 1Sport and brought by Hero MotoCorp.
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