Golfer Gangjee second at Panasonic Open

Osaka April 21 (IANS) India s Rahil Gangjee carded a third-round three-under 68 to trail South Koreas Hyungsung Kim by a stroke at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship here on Saturday.

Hyungsung sunk a birdie at the last hole to snatch the outright lead with a 67 that gave him a three-day total of 12-under 201 at the Ibaraki Country Club.

Gangjee who has been winless on the Asian Tour since 2004 fired his first salvo with two opening birdies. He dropped a shot on six but recovered well with another pair of birdies on eight and nine.

The 39-year-old Indian then struggled in his back-nine as he was caught off guard by the swirling winds that proved to be a huge challenge.

Flamboyant Shingo Katayama of Japan returned with a 70 to take third place. Korean-American Sihwan Kim still stands an outside chance of winning the Panasonic Swing series when he signed for a 68 to share fourth place with overnight leader Rikuya Hoshino of Japan and Korea s Junggon Hwang.

India s Ajeetesh Sandhu also remained in contention for his second win on the Asian Tour after he carded a 68 which took him to a share of seventh place on 2016 total.

One stroke behind him at the 14th spot was Arjun atwal who scored a 66 while S.S.P. Chawrasia was joint 21st with a 207 total following a 67.

--IANS
pur/vd