Randhawa thanks lucky stars for good run at WGC

Shanghai: Slowly regaining the form which had deserted him in the past few months, Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa, the highest-placed Asian at the prestigious WGC-HSBC Champions, on Saturday said he considers himself lucky to have turned in under-par cards on a difficult course here.

Tied sixth at eight-under after three rounds, Randhawa, who carded a two-under 70 today, said the good run has come as a big relief because he had been battling indifferent form after winning the Singha Thailand Open on the Asian Tour in March.

"I have been struggling for the last few months and I guess it came at the right time. So any time you shoot under par on this golf course, it's good because you know, the way they tuck the pins, it's playing really tough and I'm very happy and very lucky to be where I am," said the Indian. "Let's hope I can carry on," he added.

Reflecting on the hard times, the Delhi-pro said some experimentation in his game after the Thailand triumph backfired, which left him battling hard to retain his card in Europe over the past few weeks.

"I was trying to change a few things and I went back to the way I want to play, so I'm lucky to be here. The thing is to stick with it and to be committed to it.

"So when it comes and you're not committed, it goes away. So luckily I've been focused and I've been trying to do that," Randhawa said.

Randhawa said patience has been the key for his so far solid performance in what is Asia's first World Golf Championships event.

"It's not easy out there. Guys are trying to get aggressive, make a few bogeys and suddenly you're out of the tournament.

"So I just played consistent golf, stuck to what I needed to do and made some putts," he said.

The 2002 Asian Tour number one will enter the final day at Sheshan International Golf Club six shots behind leader Phil Mickelson of the United States, with world number one Tiger Woods lying tied second alongside Nick Watney.