Hie gets back to basics to lead

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Indonesia’s Rory Hie got back to basics and posted a five-under-par 67 to retain control of his lead after the third round of the Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship on Saturday.

Hie, who has led the inaugural Asian Tour event since the opening day, returned to the fundamentals of the game and showed his determination of lifting his maiden Asian Tour title by storming home with three birdies in his last four holes to take a one-shot lead over India’s Rashid Khan with his three day total of 17-under-par 199.

Khan displayed promise of winning his third Asian Tour title as he signed for a 66. The 28-year-old was a picture of consistency as he went bogey-free for 46 holes before dropping his first shot of the week on the par-three 11.

The Indian, however rallied back with another four birdies on holes 12, 15, 16 and 18 to pile the pressure on Hie as he heads into the final 18 holes in second place at the Classic Golf and Country Club.

India’s Abhijit Chadha was a further shot back in third place after he returned with a 68 at a venue which he fondly regards as his winning home ground.

The lanky Indian has won at the Classic Golf and Country Club as a junior and then as an amateur and a third time as a professional on the domestic Tour in 2015.

Korea’s Byungjun Kim, who is playing on a country exemption spot this week, signed for a 67 to take fourth place.

The Korean is eager to surmount a late charge and hopefully make his Asian Tour breakthrough as he has limited playing opportunities on the region’s premier Tour.

Leading Scores after round 3 of the Classic GCC International Championship being played at the par 72, 7114 Yards Classic Golf and Country Club course (am - denotes amateur):
199 - Rory Hie (INA) 64-68-67.
200 - Rashid Khan (IND) 68-66-66.
201 - Abhijit Chadha (IND) 68-65-68.
202 - Byungjun Kim (KOR) 69-66-67.
204 - Aadil Bedi (IND) 67-68-69, Kosuke Hamamoto (THA) 69-65-70.
205 - Suttijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 70-72-63.
206 - Mathiam Keyser (RSA) 70-68-68, Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 66-72-68, Koh Deng Shan (SIN) 69-68-69, Aman Raj (IND) 67-67-72.
207 - Himmat Rai (IND) 68-71-68, Abhinav Lohan (IND) 69-68-70, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) 70-67-70.