Indian pair join McGrane pursuit

Indian duo SSP Chowrasia and Arjun Atwal along with Ryder Cup winner Thomas Bjorn led the pursuit of Ireland’s Damien McGrane at the Indian Masters this morning after moving to within three strokes of the overnight leader at a blustery Delhi Golf Club.

McGrane, seeking a maiden European Tour title, remains at the top of the leaderboard at eight under par after playing the opening holes of the third round at the unforgiving tree-lined Lodhi course.

South Africa’s Hendrik Buhrmann, who won the Asian Masters in India two years ago, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin remain at six under par in the opening stages of their third rounds, a shot clear of Chowrasia, Atwal and Bjorn.

Dane Bjorn and Atwal, a two-time European Tour winner, both picked up shots at their opening holes, while Chowrasia played his first five in two under.

Basildon-born Ross McGowan, the 2007 Challenge Tour number two, reached the turn in a bogey-free 34 to advance to three under overall through 10 alongside Darren Clarke, Sweden’s Hendrik Nystrom and first-round leader Jyoti Randhawa, who is making his way back up the leaderboard after a second-round 77.

World number four Ernie Els, the highest-ranked player in the field at the inaugural 2,500,000 US dollars (£1,284,150) event, edged his way under par for the first time this week following a hard-fought 69.

The South African is still ruing an opening-round 75, which included a quadruple-bogey nine, but remained upbeat over his chances after creeping into the top 20 at two under par overall.

Els reached the turn in 35, but slipped back to level par through 16 holes before a brace of birdies over his last three improved the picture for the two-time US Open champion.

“It was a tough day, the wind was blowing and I had a lot of chances on the front nine and to be honest I missed a lot of putts on the front nine. I came back a little better but it leaves me a lot of shots behind but it’s quite a difficult day so hopefully the guys will feel it,” said Els.

“I am playing quite consistently. I am struggling on the greens a little bit; I am having a tough time reading the putts. Also if you miss any shots you are going to pay the penalty.

“On the first day I had a nine and that really cost me with four shots and if it wasn’t for that I could have had a chance. But at least I am playing nicely and swinging nicely.

“The first day was very disappointing shooting 75, but I have worked my tail off to get under par and I am two under par now after three rounds and I really felt like I have worked hard for that so I have to feel fairly satisfied after the first day.

“I still tried to play conservatively and stick to my game plan. My iron shots were better but the putts just didn’t drop.”

Edinburgh’s Andrew Coltart, playing again this week courtesy of an invitation after losing his playing rights last November, pulled himself up to level par with a 71.