Atwal in title hunt after returning day's best card

Highland Heights, Ohio, July 8 (UNI) The first-hole bogey could not have been more misleading as Arjun Atwal reeled off six birdies thereafter for a dazzling five-under 66 -- day's best card -- to jump to tied 8th spot after the penultimate round of the Legend Financial Group Classic here.

Overnight tied 26th, Atwal now aggregates nine-under 204 and is very much in title hunt with just three strokes separating him and joint leaders David Mckenzie (66) and Jayson Day (67) both from Australia.

The Orlando-based Indian, who's been gaining strength with every passing day in the tournament, was off to a poor start dropping a stroke on the very first hole. However, he recovered quickly with a birdie on the next and picked up three more strokes on his front nine to turn at three-under.

The backward journey was more relaxed but flawless as the Indian pro gained a stroke each on the 12th and 14th holes to shoot himself in reckoning.

Meanwhile, overnight leader Scott Gardiner of Australia dropped to tied third spot after playing a one-under round yesterday.

UNI