Gaganjeet Bhullar, Rashid Khan improve position slightly in Japan

Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan: Gaganjeet Bhullar and Rashid Khan, the only Indians to have made the cut, improved their positions slightly at the end of the third round of the Asia-Pacific Open Mitsubishi Diamond Cup on Saturday.

Bhullar had five bogeys against four birdies for his 71. Four of the bogeys came on the front nine, while he had two birdies each on front and back nines. Bhullar has round 72, 70 and 71 for a total of three-over 213 and is tied 42nd, up from overnight 45th.

Rashid Khan started with a bogey and ended with a birdie in his round of 71 which had three bogeys and two birdies. Rashid with rounds of 70, 73 and 71 is four-over 214 and tied 49th up from 55th overnight.

KT Kim of Korea fired a three-under-par 67 thanks to an eagle and birdie finish to lead by two shots in the third round.

The in-form Korean, who has won three titles this year, broke free from the chasing pack when he holed out from the 17th fairway for eagle at the Otone Country Club, West Course.

He leads on seven-under-par 203 as Japanese duo Yuta Ikeda and Satoshi Kodaira trailed in tied second place after shooting a 67 and 66 respectively at the Y150 million (approximately US$1.2 million) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Scott Strange of Australia, who led on day one, was a further shot back in fourth place following a 67. Overnight leader Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand stayed in the title mix despite shooting a poor 72 to trail playing partner Kim by four shots.

Popular Japanese Ryo Ishikawa stayed in contention after posting a 68 to sit in tied eighth position alongside Richard T. Lee of Canada on a 208 total.