Ghei fails to sustain form, lies tied 53rd in BMW Asian Open

Shanghai, Apr 22 (UNI) Lone Indian in the fray, Gaurav Ghei failed to sustain yesterday's improved show as he carded one over 73 to finsih tied 53rd after the penultimate round of the 2.3 million dollar BMW Asian Open here today.

Strating the third round at tied 44th, Ghei was one under par in his front nine with birdies in the second and eighth holes though sinking a bogey in between in the fourth hole.

The Delhi-based Indian lost the plot in the back nine with bogeys in 12th and 17th holes to finish the day with one over par and a total of two over 218, 13 shots behind the leader at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Earlier yesterday, Shiv Kapur, Rahil Gangjee, SSP Chowrasia and Amandeep Johl failed to make the cut after the second round.

Frenchmen Raphael Jacquelin, bidding for a second career title, battled to a two-under-par 70 for a three-day total of 11 under-par 205. He held off a spirited Scott Hend of Australia, who stayed in the title hunt with a fine 67.

However, Scotsman Simon Yates produced the best card today, equalling course record of 64 to lie only two shots behind the leader going into the last day, tied with Sweden's Joakim Backstrom and Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark.

South African star Ernie Els fired his week's best of 68 to lie at tied 11th and five shots behind to give himself a shot at winning a second BMW Asian Open title.

UNI