Jacquelin leads at Indian Masters

2008-02-09

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By Andrew Mullen Special to PA SportsTicker

DELHI, India (Ticker) - Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin holds a one-stroke lead over Ireland's Damien McGrane, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Spain's Jose Manuel Lara heading into Sunday's final round of the Indian Masters.

The Asian Open champion, Jacquelin carded a even-par, third-round 72 on Saturday to remain at 6-under par at the Delhi Golf Club.

Jacquelin, who did not make the cut last week in Dubai, held a two-stroke cushion with two to play, but dropped a shot on his 17th hole after a three-foot par putt jumped out.

He also found the trees with his tee shot on the final fairway, but made par to complete a round which was highlighted by an eagle-three with five holes to play.

"I'm a little disappointed with the way I putted, I didn't hole any except for one at 14," Jacquelin said.

The overnight leader, McGrane (75) slipped back into a tie for second after windy conditions disrupted the swing which had handed him a two-stroke lead and faint hope of a maiden European Tour title.

"We had to change a lot of clubs off the tee boxes which we don't like doing, but because the wind was so strong we had to change our gameplan a lot which made it difficult," McGrane said.

McDowell, fifth last week in Dubai, fared slightly better and signed for a 73, while Lara - a former Hong Kong Open champion - recorded a solitary birdie in a 71, which was the only bogey-free round of the day at the tight, tree-lined course.

McDowell was pleased with his round despite his scorecard, which showed just one birdie after the world No. 88 three-putted the final green with a share of the lead within his grasp.

"Scoring was difficult, the greens are getting really crusty as the week goes on and I didn't really hole a ton of putts," said McDowell, who will again partner McGrane in the penultimate final-round group.

World No. 4 Ernie Els is within striking distance at 2-under after carding the best round of the day - a 3-under 69 in calmer morning conditions.

The two-time U.S. Open champion was in danger of failing to make the cut after an opening-round 75, before responding with a second-round 70.

"The first day was very disappointing shooting 75, but I have worked my tail off to get under par and I am 2-under par now after three rounds and I really felt like I have worked hard for that so I have to feel fairly satisfied after the first day," Els said.