Flawless Sharma takes five-shot Joburg Open lead

Indian Shubhankar Sharma fired a flawless 65 yesterday to build afive-shot lead after three rounds of the Joburg Open at Randpark GolfClub in Johannesburg. The 21-year-old, who is ranked 462 in the world, scored seven birdiesover the par-72 Firethorn track in warm, partly overcast conditions anddid not drop a shot.Sharma, who is playing his 10th European Tour event, rattled off fourconsecutive birdies from the second and had another at the ninth for anoutward half of 31 on the suburban course.He also birdied 14 and 15 before saving par at the final hole with asuperb bunker shot and single putt in the tri-sanctioned European Tour,Asian Tour and South African Sunshine Tour event. The incentives forSharma to score a maiden senior tour victory include a place in the 2018British Open field at Carnoustie next July. Sharma recorded rounds of 69, 61 and 65 for a total of 195 - 20 underpar overall - and is within sight of the record overall winning scorefor the Joburg Open of 27 under.“I’m really happy,” said the Indian who is attempting to succeed South African Darren Fichardt as Joburg Open champion.“I was really pleased with my reading of the greens, and I hit approachshots pretty close, which helped me make a very good start. “Goodapproach shots are very important if you want to shoot low numbers. Allin all, my putting has also been really good and I hope it keeps goinglike this tomorrow.”Swede Christofer Blomstrand lies second following a sizzling 62, thesecond lowest round of the week after the second-round 61 of Sharma.The Scandinavian celebrated his 26th birthday with a birdie, birdie,eagle, birdie streak from the second to make his intentions known.Another two birdies saw him turn in 29, seven under, before a mixed second nine produced an eagle, three birdies nad two bogeys.“It is a really nice birthday present,” said Blomstrand. “I was really happy with my putter.“I was hitting quite good shots in the beginning of my round, and then Iholed them as well. It was a good start and I just tried to keep goingfrom there.”Blomstrand is on 200 following rounds of 70, 68 and 62, one stroke aheadof James Morrison of England and South African Eric van Rooyen.Morrison carded a 67 and Van Rooyen a 70 in the third round, and bothare realistic contenders for the top prize should Sharma falter.Second-round leader Tapio Pulkkanen of Finland is one stroke furtherback on 203, sharing fifth place with Marcus Armitage of England, whoshot a 67.After rounds of 65 and 64, Pulkkanen slumped to a one-over 73 thatincluded a double-bogey six at 16. He also carded three birdies and twobogeys.Dylan Frittelli, the big pre-tournament hope of South Africans afterwinning the Mauritius Open last weekend, had a 71 and is out ofcontention 15 shots off the pace.Leading third round scores195 - Shubhankar Sharma (IND) 69-61-65200 - Christofer Blomstrand (SWE) 70-68-62201 - James Morrison (ENG) 64-70-67, Erik van Rooyen 64-67-70202 - Marcus Armitage (ENG) 69-66-67, Tapio Pulkkanen (FIN) 65-64-73204 - Oliver Bekker 66-70-68, Christiaan Bezuidenhout 69-69-66, StevenBrown (ENG) 68-65-71, Ross McGowan (ENG) 66-72-66, Joachim Hansen (DEN)66-67-71