NBA | Page 5 MOTORCYCLINGMOTORCYCLING | Page 6 James, Davis USA’s Roberts star as Lakers stuns with end playoff maiden drought Moto2 pole Sunday, March 8, 2020 CRICKET Rajab 13, 1441 AH Battle-hardened GULF TIMES Australia ready for ‘biggest’ game: Lanning SPORT Page 3 GOLF / COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS Spain’s Campillo grabs lead despite late glitches Two bogeys on the back nine halts Campillo’s surge at 14-under; Drysdale and Winther in hunt a shot behind By Yash Mudgal Doha orge Campillo kept his momentum going in the third round to emerge as the sole leader going into Jthe decider at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Edu- cation City Golf club yesterday. Looking for his second Euro- pean Tour title, Campillo played a third round 67 to take a one- shot lead over title-less veteran Scot David Drysdale and Dane Jeff Winther into the fi nal day of the tournament. The Spaniard started the day in a share of the lead and picked up fi ve shots in six holes around the turn to move three ahead and into a commanding position. However, his 44-hole bogey- free streak came to an end on the 12th. Campillo’s sixth birdie of the day too was cancelled out by Denmark’s Jeff Winther tees off on the 18th hole yesterday. a bogey on the 15th, as he came home in level par for a 14-under total. “It was tough, especially the last four holes into the wind, so it wasn’t playing easy at all. The front nine wasn’t windy, it was playing easy, and the back nine was tough. I missed a few short putts but overall a good last three holes,” Campillo said. “I am in a good position for Spain’s Jorge Campillo on his way to a four-under 67 during the third round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club tomorrow but still 18 holes to go. in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram It is going to be a tough day to- morrow, but I am glad with the gan the third round in a tie for bit of help off the tee at the mo- tough and very tricky. I felt that LEADING ROUND III SCORES position I am in right now be- the lead with Campillo, but three ment but otherwise than that I I played well with some good 199 — Jorge Campillo (ESP) 66 cause I wasn’t playing good, so bogeys and a double-bogey on really like it. The greenkeepers putts including a 15-metre one 66 67 being leader after three days after the 18th meant that he carded a have done very well this week, on the 13th. Another 18 holes to 200 — David Drysdale (SCO) 67 the last few weeks is nice,” the disappointing 72 to fall fi ve shots it’s phenomenal to putt on. I’ll go… let’s see what happens,” the 69 64, Jeff Winther (DEN) 66 69 33year-old said. off the pace. keep doing the same. I’m going fi ve-time champion on the Eu- 65 Campillo won his maiden title On the other hand, Drysdale to try not to think about it and ropean Tour said. The 37-year- 201 — Benjamin Poke (DEN) 68 Trophee Hassan II in April 2019 is aiming for his fi rst title in his it’ll be exciting. I look forward old Spaniard ended his four-year 67 66 and is hopeful of another good 498th European Tour event while to it.” wait for a European title in De- 202 — Alexander Bjork (SWE) 70 day today. a win for Winther would come at Pablo Larrazabal, the other cember 2019 when he won the 63 69, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 72 “If I had not won a golf tourna- his 97th attempt. Spaniard, also came up with a Alfred Dunhill Championship. 67 63 ment already I would have been “We had good fun, good play- fi ne round yesterday. He carded Finn Kalle Samooja and Eng- 203 — Kalle Samooja (FIN) 70 67 a little bit nervous coming into ing partners are always good to an eight-under 63 with two ea- land’s Jack Senior were at ten- 66, Jack Senior (ENG) 69 66 68 tomorrow, but since I have won, have and you can lean on your gles and six birdies, the lowest under, a shot clear of two more 204 — Marcus Armitage (ENG) 67 it is a little bit more familiar, so caddie as well. We just enjoyed of the day to fi nish tied fi fth with Englishmen in Marcus Armitage 71 66, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 66 66 I will still be a little nervous but it and played very well. I putted Swede Alexander Bjork at 11-un- and Andy Sullivan, India’s SSP 72, S.S.P Chawrasia (IND) 67 69 hopefully tomorrow I can play as very well as well and that’s a big der overall with three birdies and Chawrasia, Belgian Thomas De- 68, Thomas Detry (BEL) 72 66 66, good as today and win.” factor,” Winther said. a bogey. try and Scotland’s Scott Jamie- Scott Jamieson (SCO) 67 68 69 England’s Andy Sullivan be- “It’s wide and I like it. I need a “The pin positions are super son. 205 — Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 66 70 69 Sweden’s Alexander Bjork prepares to hit out of a bunker. SPOTLIGHT Chawrasia within striking distance of best Indian fi nish at Qatar Masters By Yash Mudgal long time… 18 more holes to go,” fi rst two days as well, before re- double fi gures under par, is still Doha Chawrasia said. gaining a stroke. fi ve behind leader Jorge Camp- If Chawrasia fi nishes higher He was looking steady and illo, who carded a third round 67 than seventh, it would be the best parred the next three holes. to take a one-shot lead into the ndia’s SSP Chawrasia looks Indian performance at the event However, a blip in concentration fi nal day. set for a strong fi nish in the in its 23-year history. Jyoti Rand- led to another bogey on the 15th. Chawrasia was a bit lucky at 2020 Commercial Bank Qa- hawa’s tied seventh in 2008 is the However, he regrouped himself the end of the day as he got a free tar Masters after carding a best by any Indian in Doha. He and carded par on the remaining drop when his approach shot Ithree-under par 68 to fi nish the also had a shared 12th in 2005. three holes. landed in stands at the 18th hole third round at 9-under. Having fi nished 47th as his best Talking about the conditions, and he fi nished the hole at par Chawrasia, who shot 67 and result in previous eight appearanc- he said: “When I came here, it was four with a fi ne chip shot. 69 on the fi rst two days, had four es and after missing cuts for three so windy. I was wondering how I “Luckily I got the free drop, birdies on the front and one more successive years since 2017 at the would play. It is so tough to play in and I had a good chip and parred on the back, and a bogey on either Doha Golf Club, the 41-year-old windy conditions, but I managed the fi nal hole to complete a sat- side to fi nish tied ninth along- golfer from Kolkata managed to good scores and I hope for a better isfactory round considering the side England’s Andy Sullivan play well over the last 36 holes this day tomorrow,” the two-time In- conditions,” said Chawrasia, who and Marcus Armitage, Belgium’s time at the new venue — the Edu- dian Open champion said. is going to play in Indian Open Thomas Detry and Scotland’s cation City Golf Club. Chawrasia had carded a 67 at next. Scott Jamison. The four-time winner on Eu- last week’s fi nal round in Oman Chawrasia, who missed the cut “It was a good day for me. I ropean Tour Chawrasia had his and has now shot four successive last year at the Doha Golf Club have been playing good over the best start with four shots saved rounds in 60s. Another good one (DGC), said “I like this course last three days and now looking in the fi rst seven holes. But he could see him fi nish with a fl our- too. It is beautiful, but I think forward to the fourth day. I am suff ered a bogey on the ninth – ish. Doha Golf Club is a tough course India’s SSP Chawrasia plays a shot during the third round yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram really enjoying my game after a something which he did on the The Indian, who twice touched to play in windy conditions.” Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 8, 2020 GOLF Sights from the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club PICTURES: Jayaram COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL Team Drysdale Hatton and Kang lead aft er 36 holes Reuters Cary, North Carolina targeting long yrrell Hatton and Sung Kang took the second- round lead while Rory McIlroy stayed in con- Ttention at a windswept Arnold Palmer Invitational in central Florida on Friday. awaited win England’s Hatton by his own admission held his score to- Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2020 is the Scot’s 498th event gether with smoke and mirrors on his inward nine but managed a three-under-par 69 on the Bay Hill course in Orlando.