India stay in running for medal at Nomura Cup

Denarau (Fiji): The Indian Golf Union`s amateur team retained its third position at the end of the third round of the biennial Asia-Pacific Golf Championships for the Nomura Cup.

India totalled 220 on the day, same as that of leaders Australia today at the Nadatola Bay Championship course, which once again proved very tough for scoring.Now, with just one more round to go in the championship, India are looking at its first medal finish since 1973 when they won the title in Jakarta. India though matched the Australian score of 220, but New Zealand excelled on the third day with an excellent score of 217 and moved to second spot even as Korea slipped to fourth, down from second at the midway stage. The star for India on third day was Khalin Joshi, who had an even par 72, while Angad Cheema bounced back from his disappointing second day and shot a fine 73. National champion S Chikkarangappa birdied the last two holes to save the dayfor India with a 75 as the best three cards totalled 220. Khalin Joshi`s 72 also made him the top placed Indian in tied fourth place, up from previous tenth place, while Chikkarangappa (73) was tied for seventh, also up from tenth. Abhijit Chadha carded 78 and dropped to tied 12th and Cheema with his 73 improved to tied 21st, up from 37th.The individual scores this time will also be treated as the selection round for Asia Pacific Team to participate in the Bonallack Trophy to be played in Algrave, Portugal in April 2012. The final round will be played at the Denarau Course with tee-offs. Team standings (after three rounds): 1. Australia 207 + 212 + 220 = 639 2. New Zealand 211 + 224 + 217 = 652 3. India 208 + 226 + 220 = 654 4. Korea 218 + 213 + 232 = 663 5. Chinese Taipei 214 + 229 + 233 = 676. PTI