Debutant Jeev tied at 16th position, eyeing next year's ticket

Augusta, Georgia, April 8 (UNI) Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh battled to a four-over-par 76 to lie only five shots off the lead after a tough third round at the Augusta Masters thus staying in the top-20 which gives him a shot at a return trip next year.

Battling adverse weather conditions at the Augusta National Golf Club here, debutant Jeev rued a costly double bogey at the par five 15th hole when his approach shot rolled off the putting surface into the water hazard guarding the green.

The Asian Tour number one fired one birdie on 13th and dropped three other bogeys, two from three putts.

''It was a tough day, one of the hardest of my career. I was going well and the only mistake I made was on the 15th. I got too cute with the third shot and I paid for it with a seven. I was trying to play for the middle of the green but I just tried to fly it in and it rolled back into the water,'' said Jeev, who has a three-day score of seven-over-par 223.

The top-16 players and ties at this year's tournament will automatically qualify for next year's Masters. With Jeev currently lying at tied 16th, he will be hoping to finish off his maiden Masters campaign on a high note against former Masters champion Vijay Singh in the final round.

UNI