New Delhi - Rahil Gangjee kept other contenders at bay with a birdie on the last hole to hold a one-shot lead after the third round of the $300 000 Panasonic Open at the Delhi Golf Club on Saturday.
The Indian was unable to extend his overnight two-stroke lead as he shot a one-under-par 71 in the Asian Tour event co-sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India.
Gangjee's overall 11-under-par 205 put him just one stroke ahead of defending champion Wade Ormsby of Australia, Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman, Indian teenager Shubhankar Sharma and Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka.
Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand, who came up with a 69, was one shot behind on 207, setting the stage for an exciting finish on Sunday.
Gangjee, whose lone victory on the Asian Tour came in 2004, rubbished suggestions he came under pressure after leading over the first two days.
“I did not hit the shots and that's what I did not like about the entire day,” the 36-year-old said.
“But overall, I hung in there, so tomorrow should be a lot better.”
Leading scores after the third round at the par-72 Delhi Golf Club:
205 - Rahil Gangjee (IND) 66-68-71.
206 - Shubhankar Sharma (IND) 73-65-68, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 70-67-69, Mithun Perera (SRI) 70-67-69, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 68-68-70.
207 - Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70-68-69.
208 - Unho Park (AUS) 69-71-68, Lionel Weber (FRA) 73-66-69, Pratap Atwal (amateur, IND) 69-68-71.
209 - Rashid Khan (IND) 68-70-71.
Sapa-AFP