Ghei, Digvijay hit by howling winds in Ballantine's golf

Jeju Island (South Korea), April 25 (IANS) Indian golfers had a tough time on a day when howling winds and a three-hour suspension in the morning due to fog resulted in very high scores on the third day of the 2.1 million euro Ballantine's Championship here Saturday.

Gaurav Ghei, who seemed to be contending for a top-10, dropped way down with a 84 that saw him plummet from one-under for two rounds to 11-over for the third and slump to 68th place. The best Indian was Digvijay Singh, whose 82 saw him drop to 63rd place at 10-over 226.

Among other Indians Shiv Kapur, Jyoti Randhawa and S.S.P. Chowraisa had earlier missed the cut.

Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands remained within touching distance of winning the title as he battled through the swirling winds and cold at the Pinx Golf Club to post a three-over 75 for a three-day total of six-under 210 to take a two shot lead over Spain's Pablo Martin, who recorded a three-day total of 212.

South Korea's Kang Kyung-nam and Kang Wook-soon, together with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee. are tied for third on 214, two shots behind Martin while three-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa was among the mix tied for sixth on 215.

Play was suspended for three hours in the morning due to heavy fog and when it finally resumed, Derksen quickly got his game going.