A consistent Anirban Lahiri inched closer to victory as he opened up a five-stroke lead before play was suspended due to poor visibility at the Jaypee Greens on Day Three of the BILT Open on Saturday. The thick blanket of smog delayed the start of play and it wasn’t before 2:30 in the afternoon that the final group could tee off.

Unfazed by the haze though, the 22-year-old Lahiri, overnight 13-under 131, got down to business with a birdie on the second. On the par-five fourth, he produced an eagle, hitting his second shot (a three-wood) to within six feet of the pin. He gained another shot, on the eighth, before play was suspended.

“I’m pleased that I kept the momentum going today. I’m very well placed at this stage but I will not take anything for granted as it’s going to be a long day tomorrow. I’ll just try to stay calm and positive,” said Lahiri, who aggregates 17-under through 45 holes and will now have to play 27 holes on Sunday.

Delhi golfers Naman Dawar and Himmat Singh Rai currently occupy the tied second position at 12-under. While Dawar completed 11 holes, Rai managed get through nine holes (45 holes). Dawar fired five birdies to be five under for the day and Rai made three birdies to be three-under for the day.

Harendra Gupta is in fourth place at the moment as his total reads 11-under after 11 holes from the third round.

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