Himmat Rai tied fourth, stays in contention at Ho Tram Open

Ho Tram, Vietnam: Himmat Rai, who has been winless and in fact lost his card in between, put himself into contention by the end of the penultimate round of the USD 1.5 million Ho Tram Open here on Saturday.

Himmat, who has rounds of 69-66-68 is now tied fourth at 10-under 203 and just three behind the leader, Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang (68).

In between Spaniard Sergio Garcia (68) and Shaun Norris (65) of South Africa were two behind at 11-under 202. Himmat is tied with Thaworn Wiratchant (68) at 10-under 203.

Among the other Indians, who made the cut after the third round were Jeev Milkha Singh (68), who moved up from 60th to Tied 29th at two-under, Gaganjeet Bhullar (73), who was 34th, down from 18th at one-under 212. Rahil Gangjee (71) also made the cut at even par 213 in tied 48th and Khalin Joshi (76) squeezed inside despite a ragged 76.

Himmat has had a very steady week, not having missed a single fairway in three rounds.

I played really good and to my strategy. It is about sticking to the routine and doing it over and over again. It was good how I bounced back from the double bogey. During the round, I didn't even remember I made a double bogey. For the whole day, I was trying to hit it one shot at a time," said Himmat.

On the double bogey he suffered on par-3 fourth hole, he said: "I had a nice lie and didn't have a good chip. From there the chip was even harder because it was uphill. A win is what we are all here for. For me it is strictly about playing one shot at a time and enjoying the moment."

The 41-year-old Lin dropped a bogey and double bogey in his opening four holes at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip before fighting back with six birdies for a three-day total of 13-under-par 200 total in the inaugural Asian Tour tournament.

World number 12 Garcia endured a topsy-turvy day as well en route to a 68 which kept him in the chase for a first title of the year alongside Norris, who charged into contention with a 65 in Vietnam's richest sporting event.

Thai veteran star Thaworn Wiratchant, bidding for a record 19th Asian Tour victory, carded a 68 to lie three back alongside a resurgent Rai, who also carded a 68. American Paul Peterson (68) will start the final round four shots back of the leader.