Sports India

Jeev Milkha Singh’s bid to book a place at The Open Championship suffered a setback after he carded a disappointing two-over 74 in a rain-hit third round to slip to the tied 12th spot at the 42,36,000 dollar Smurfit European Open here.

Singh, who started the day in tied fourth place, endured rain and windy conditions at The K Club to total four-under 212 after three days.

Playing alongside local favourite Darren Clarke, Singh held steady with a front nine 35 but dropped three bogeys on his homeward stretch to trail the Spanish leader Jose Manuel Lara (207) by five shots.

Meanhwile, Jyoti Randhawa improved his show a bit but could not prevent an over-par score as he carded a 73 to move up to the tied 55th spot.

Randhawa fired four birdies but three bogeys and a double-bogey marred his show and led to a second successive over-par finish after a promising opening round of four-under 68.

Randhawa now has a three-day total of 219 going into the final round.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee moved up to the tied 22nd place on 214 after a 71 alongside England’s Simon Dyson.