Jeev slips to tied sixth, stays in hunt

Bangkok, Dec 16 (UNI) Jeev Milkha Singh stayed in the title hunt despite dropping to tied sixth position after returning an eventful level-par card on a blustery penultimate day at the season-ending 650,000-dollar Volvo Masters of Asia here today.

Asian Tour Order of the Merit winner Jeev aggregates six-under 210 in three rounds -- five strokes off the leader, Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who returned a superb three-under 69 round to open a two strokes lead at the top.

Beginning the day at tied third position, the Indian ace raced to a wonderful start firing two birdies in his first four holes. But his bid for a fifth title of the year hit a kerb as he stuttered in the next 14 holes dropping four bogeys as against two birdies.

Jeev, eyeing a unique Volvo hat-trick following earlier triumphs this year at the Volvo China Open and Volvo Masters in Spain, conceded that he has an uphill task in chasing down the supremely confident Thongchai.

''I am not hitting the ball too good, honestly. I think it showed again today. Yesterday was the same but I putted good then. But it's okay. I still ended up with even par. It was a tough day as it was windy.

''I need to put a good score tomorrow but it'll be tough to catch Thongchai. I'll try to have a good round and not shoot over par for four days and try for an under par finish,'' said Jeev, who is ranked 45th in the world.

Among other Indians in the fray, rookie S S P Chowrasia, a stroke behind Jeev, was also eyeing a strong finish although he dropped to tied 12th postion after returning an indifferent one-under 71 card.

Jyoti Randhawa (73, 214) went over par to slip to tied 22nd spot while defending champion Shiv Kapur of India fell out of contention after a 74 which left him in tied 25th place on 215.

Amandeep Johl (71, 218), Gaurav Ghei (73, 222) and Rahil Gangjee (73, 224) were playing for the pride.

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