Jakarta: India's Rashid Khan and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai from Thailand took advantage of late lapses over the closing holes by their opponents to grab the third round lead in the US$500,000 Bank Mandiri Indonesia Open at Pondok Indah Golf Course yesterday.
Khan posted a sublime bogey free eight-under-par 64 while Atiruj, who carded a magnificent 63 yesterday, fired a 68 for a tournament total of 14 under.
Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar, who is bidding to win this event for a record third time after his successes in 2013 and 2016, shot a 68 and is one shot back with Thailand's Itthipat Buranatanyarat (72), the leader after rounds one and two, and Chapchai Nirat (68), plus Taiwan's Chang Wei-lun (72).
While Khan birdied the par-five 18th and Atiruj carded a par, Gaganjeet and Chang dropped shots, Chapchai finished with a double bogey and bogey while Itthipat staggered home with bogeys on 13, 15 and 17.
Hong Kong amateur star Taichi Kho, joint leader on the opening day, came in with a 70 and is just two off the lead.
"Yeah, it was a pretty good round, I was minus five after nine," said Khan, who has won twice before on the Tour, both in 2014.
Atiruj recorded his maiden win on The All Thailand Golf Tour this year and his form has certainly not deserted him.
He said: "I mean today's putting was good, but it was quite windy today so I didn't hit that close and got less birdies than yesterday. I have to find more fairways I guess, but in today's wind I didn't hit the fairways enough."
The Thai made a brilliant eagle on the par-five 14th.
Thailand's Poom Saksansin carded a 63, the joint lowest score of the week, and Brazil's Adilson Da Silva returned a 66, and are joint seventh with Kho.