Dramatic finish in store at Delhi

David Drysdale and Andrew Dodt shared the lead on 13 under par as the final round of the Avantha Masters in Delhi reached the halfway point but with 11 players separated by just two strokes, a dramatic finish at DLF Golf and Country Club was in store.

Seven players began the day tied for the lead but it was Drysdale and Dodt who emerged from the chasing pack to take the upper hand.

Three birdies on their outward nines saw both players climb to the top of the leaderboard and hold a one-stroke advantage with Scot Drysdale having played 11 holes while his Australian rival had completed 10.

Richard Finch was putting together one of the most eye-catching rounds of the day as the Hull golfer moved to 12 under following six birdies and one bogey in 14 holes.

Finch drew level with fellow Englishman Richard Bland, searching for his maiden European Tour triumph and who was one under for the day at the turn.

Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Indian Rahil Gangee were also at 12 under, both one under for their rounds.

Birdies at the first, fourth and 12th offset a bogey at the ninth to keep Darren Clarke in contention on 11 under as was Barry Lane, the 49-year-old, who was bidding to become the oldest winner of a European Tour event, having played his opening nine holes level par.

Scot Steven O’Hara had picked up four birdies and an eagle to join the duo, while two birdies had also elevated Taiwan’s Lin Wen-hong into the group along with Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin, who was one-under for the day.