Divyanshu bajaj jethmalani

Jammu Tawi Golf Course: Gurugram’s Kartik Sharma fired an outstanding five-under 67 to take a three-shot lead at 10-under 206 in round three of the INR 50 lakh J&K Open 2024 being played at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course (JTGC) in Jammu here on Friday. The 24-year-old Kartik (71-68-67), placed at tied fifth overnight and three off the lead, made a flawless round to rise four spots on the leaderboard. The left-handed golfer, currently 26th on the PGTI Ranking, is searching for his maiden professional title.

The Delhi duo of Sachin Baisoya (72) and Shaurya Bhattacharya (73), the overnight leader, ended the penultimate round in tied second place at seven-under 209. Kartik Sharma scored birdies from 40 feet and 12 feet on the second and fifth holes respectively to build the tempo early on. Sharma followed that up with some great wedge shots to set up three more birdies on the sixth, eighth and 18th. Kartik made a tap-in on the 18th.

Kartik said, “I had a good strategy coming into this round and I executed it well. I stayed focused all through and took it one shot at a time. I struck it well, found most greens and converted my opportunities with some consistent putting.