Jeev remains in title hunt

Tokyo, July 1 (UNI) Displaying patience and grit, Jeev Milkha Singh carded a brilliant three-under 67, the third best of the day, to be at the tied ninth spot after the third round of the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championships here today.

At the Shishido Hills, where scoring is getting difficult by the day, Jeev, at one-under 209, is only four shots behind the leader local Tatsuhiko Takahashi (68).

Jeev shot rounds of 72, 72 and 67 to rise from the overnight tied 19th position to bring himself in line for another good finish with a possible shot at the title itself.

In the third round, Jeev opened superbly with back-to-back birdies on first and second holes and added a third on the fifth. But in between he three-putted on fourth.

''That was a bit disappointing because I was getting warmed up,'' said Jeev, who needed 31 putts for his third round.

On the back nine, with things really tough, Jeev birdied the 16th and parred the rest.

''I did not want to mess up anything and kept playing straight and got my pars. I was in a position to knock in a few birdies but the putts didn't fall. Still I am happy with my 67, as it gives me a shot tomorrow,'' he said.

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