NEW DELHI, Feb 9 -- Rafael Jacquelin carded a steady level par round of 72 to take a one-stroke lead going into the final round of the $2.5 million EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters at the Delhi Golf Club on Friday.
The Frenchman mixed an eagle and a birdie with three bogeys to move to six under par. Snapping at his heels were a group of three players.
Overnight leader Damien McGrane of Ireland endured a tough day, surrendering his two-shot advantage by the sixth hole and eventually signing for a 75.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell shot a 73 with while Jose Manuel Lara is the other player at five-under after recording a remarkable 17 pars to go with a birdie at the sixth.
"It feels good to be on top of the leaderboard, but I am a little disappointed with the way I putted. Except for one putt, I really struggled on the greens," said Jacquelin.
"If it's windy like this tomorrow, anything can happen on the golf course. If you lose confidence off the tee, it's going to be hard to finish the day," said the Frenchman.
Arjun Atwal and SSP Chowrasia are leading the home challenge. The playing partners for the day were four under par at the end of the day, just two shots off the pace. Atwal carded level par on Saturday while Chowrasia returned a one under par 71.
"I played decent, but it was hard out there. Apart from a double bogey on the seventh, I hit it good. It was just really tough conditions again," said Atwal.
Chowrasia also felt it wasn't easy to string together a good round. "I think did well in windy conditions," he said. "It was good to play with Arjun. I've played with him before, but this time I was playing after a very long time and he's a very good person and a jolly person to play with," he added.
Ernie Els made significant ground on the leaders with a round-of-the-day 69, jumping from from 44th into a tie for 10th as he continues to recover from a nine on the opening day.
The South African is just four off the pace and may yet come to rue his 18th hole meltdown on Thursday.
"I am playing quite consistently," he said. "I am struggling on the greens a little bit; I am having a tough time reading the putts. Also if you miss any shots, you are going to pay the penalty.
"On the first day, I had a nine and that really cost me with four shots and if I wasn't for that I could have had a chance. But at least I am playing nicely and swinging nicely."
