Bhullar Secures 54-Hole Lead at Fiji International

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Gaganjeet Bhullar
Gaganjeet Bhullar plays a shot out of the bunker at Natadola Bay Golf Club during day three of the 2018 Fiji International in Natadola, Fiji. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a 3-under 69 on Saturday and will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Fiji International.

Gaganjeet Bhullar
Gaganjeet Bhullar plays a shot out of the bunker at Natadola Bay Golf Club during day three of the 2018 Fiji International in Natadola, Fiji. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The 30-year old Indian finished his third day at Natadola Bay Golf Club with one bogey offset by four birdies – highlighted by two out of the gate, en route to three-day score of 8-under par.

“I had a great start to the day,” said Bhullar, noting his birdies on Nos. 1 and 2.

“I started with two good birdies and then I kept on hitting the ball really well and the ball was in play throughout the round. I think today my striking was really, really good. Despite the windy conditions, I kept the ball in play and actually I holed a lot of really tricky putts today.

“I think all the good rounds, good scores which I’ve been producing over the period of two months is going to definitely help me subconsciously. Golf is a crazy game, anything could happen.”

Australians Andrew Dodt, Jarryd Felton, Jake McLeod and Terry Pilkadaris were one off the pace at 7 under, one shot clear of overnight leader Ben Campbell who entered with a four-shot lead but lost three shots on his final three holes to drop to 6-under par.

One back of the New Zealander Campbell was four-time major winner Ernie Els of South Africa, who shot a 69 to move to solo seventh at 5 under.


TOP 10 LEADERS

POS-PLAYER-TO PAR (TODAY)
1. Gaganjeet Bhukkar -8 (-3)
2. Andrew Dodt -7 (E)
2. Jake McLeoad -7 (-2)
2. Terry Pilkadaris -7 (-1)
2. Jarryd Felton -7 (-1)
6. Ben Campbell -6 (+5)
7. Ernie Els -5 (-3)
8. Poom Saksansin -4 (-1)
8. Matthew Griffin -4 (-1)
8. Anthony Quayle -4 (-1)


EXIT QUESTION FOR BHUKKAR

It’s early yet, but do you feel like you have a number, like par might be a good score tomorrow, or do you want to go out and shoot a few birdies early and put the pressure on the others?

GAGANJEET BHULLAR: It’s really hard to say that. It all depends on the wind basically. Yesterday, like there was no — there was hardly any wind and we saw a lot of low numbers, and today, of course with this wind, not too many guys went low.

So I think it all depends on the conditions and how they set up the course tomorrow. If we get to play some easy, accessible flags, it will be a different game changer.

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