Pattaya, Thailand, 30-06-2018

Gaganjeet Bhullar's second straight 65 took him into the joint lead in Round 3 of the Queen's Cup presented by Bangchak

India's Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a second straight six-under-65 to move into the joint lead in round three of the Queen's Cup presented by Bangchak.

Bhullar (68-65-65), who was overnight tied third and three off the lead, had a run of seven birdies over the first 16 holes including four on the trot from the ninth to the 12th, on Saturday.

Gaganjeet's only bogey of the day came on the 17th and he thus closed the day in the joint lead along with Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond at 15-under-198 at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.

Bhullar is now in line to become the first Indian to win nine titles on the Asian Tour. The 30-year-old had come in second runner-up at the Royal Cup during his last outing at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club six months ago.

Gaganjeet said, "I kept the ball in play today. I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. I just kept on giving myself a lot of birdie opportunities. I got my first birdie on the fourth and made a good par save on the sixth. I drove into the water hazard and had to take a drop there. Hit my second shot onto the green and two-putted for par.

"I made a really good birdie on the ninth. I hit my driver off the tee and had about 142 yards to the stick and I hit it to about six inches for birdie there. I made three straight birdies after the turn which was great. The only bogey I had was on the 17th hole and that was a total misread off my club.

"Nothing special tomorrow. I will just continue to do my own thing and try and repeat what I did in the last 54 holes. The game’s feeling good. I will focus on hitting as many fairways and greens as I can tomorrow and hopefully hole some putts."

Rashid Khan was the next best Indian in tied 11th at nine-under-204.

Khalin Joshi was tied 23rd at seven-under-206 while Chikkarangappa was tied 38th at five-under-208.

Honey Baisoya and Viraj Madappa were both in tied 55th with scores of two-under-211.

Himmat Rai was tied 67th at even-par-213.