Arjun Atwal-Kiradech Aphibarnrat crash out of Zurich Classic

Avondale (US), April 25

Indian golfer Arjun Atwal and his partner Kiradech Aphibarnrat crashed out of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after a disappointing show on the PGA Tour.

The Indo-Thai pair shot 71 in the first round and added a 79 in the second. They had three birdies, three bogeys, a double and a triple on a difficult day.

South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel birdied six of their final eight holes on Saturday to shoot a 9-under 63 in the best ball format and take a one-shot lead at 19-under 197 after three rounds.

They shot 63-71 in the first two rounds.

The tournament will close with an alternate-shot round as a tight battle looks likely.

Australians Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith also shot a 63 to move into a tie for second at 18-under with Cameron Champ and Tony Finau, who shot a 67 after Finau’s tap-in birdie.

Ryan Palmer and Spaniard Jon Rahm, the defending champions from 2019, shot a third-round 65 to remain in contention at 15-under and tied for ninth with nine other teams. PTI