New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS): Earlier this year golfer Rashid Khan came tantalisingly close to his maiden Asian Tour at the SAIL-SBI Open. It is something Rashid cannot forget easily.

But on Saturday, he played the Delhi Golf Course (DGC) as if he was in a practice round, drilling birdies with amazing regularity. He had eight of them, plus an eagle on eighth but he also dropped three bogeys to end up with a card of 65.

At 12-under 204 after rounds of 69, 70 and 65, he is third, five shots behind runaway leader Siddikur and one behind second place and fellow Indian S.S.P. Chowrasia.

"I was playing aggressively. I need a really big score to win it. I’ll give myself a good shot now. I lost here in a playoff at the SAIL-SBI Open to Anirban (Lahiri). I hope I don’t go into a play-off again. Anything can happen in DGC,” said Rashid.

“I’m pretty happy with my round especially with how I started. I was down after six holes but I recovered really well. I had an eagle on eight. I hit a rescue off the tees and in my approach shot and had about a 15-feet eagle putt, which I holed,” added Rashid.

"All my birdies were really good. I just made six pars so I was really enjoying my round. I putted really good. I just had two bad tee shots (6th and 9th holes). Tomorrow will be the same and I will be aggressive again.”