Jamal falls back

Jamal Hossain Mollah fell four shots off the pace after a one-over in the crucial third round of the AB Bank Bangladesh Open yesterday.

The 33-year-old golfer, who started the day in pole position at eight-under, exchanged three birdies for two bogeys and a double bogey at the Kurmitola Golf Club on Friday to severely compromise his chances of winning his maiden Asian Tour title.

After his first over-par round, Jamal was on aggregate of seven-under-par (206), with England's Jack Harrison taking the clubhouse lead at 11-under-par (202).

Sri Lanka's Mithun Perera was one stroke behind the Englishman, looking to win his first title on Asia's premier tour while there were five other golfers between nine-under and eight-under.

Two-time winner on the tour Siddikur Rahman was way back at two-under-par alongside his compatriot Badal Hossain.

A total of 89 golfers made the final two rounds, with 10 Bangladeshis from a total of 49 local golfers making it through.

Jamal, who has been in pretty good form of late having finished runner-up in the BTI two weeks ago, had a poor start to the day as he played a double bogey on the third hole. He recovered with three birdies in the next eight holes to get back in the lead, but two more bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes saw him slide down the leaderboard.

"My tee shots were not accurate today and I failed to putt properly so I had to concede a double bogey and two bogeys," the two-time PGTI winner said after the day's play.

The Kurmitola-based golfer, however, was not willing to give up and thinks there is still a chance for him to win his home event.

"Anything can happen on the last day because all top 10 golfers have a chance to win the title. I played really well in the first two days and the third day was a bad one for me. In golf, nothing is lost until the last shot. I will try my best to make a good start tomorrow," Jamal said.

Englishman Harrison, who is making his debut on the tour after coming through the qualifying school in January, said he was enjoying every bit of his game and the surroundings.

Golf fever seems to have truly caught the imagination of stars from across the board. In this picture, golfer Siddikur Rahman shows basic techniques of the game to cricketer Mehedi Hasan Miraz while actor Riazuddin Ahmed Siddiqui watches with interest during the third day of the AB Bank Bangladesh Open at the Kurmitola Golf Club yesterday. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED

"I am loving the good vibes out here, especially when I am playing well. I am loving Dhaka so far. I love the course here, the people and everything else," Harrison told Asiantour.com.

The Englishman, who fired five birdies in his closing six holes, said he would play to his strengths on the final day. "I am just going to stick to the same game plan tomorrow and play my best and take advantage of my strengths, which is off the tees this week and hopefully win. I guess it's all about decision making and not being too greedy around the course here. It can really bite you. You got to keep it in play and don't try to go for the pins because if you miss, you won't have a chance really."