Atwal finishes with hat-trick of birdies, placed 3 behind leader at tied 9th

India's Arjun Atwal maintained the momentum despite a double bogey on the back nine, as he closed with a brilliant hat-trick of birdies that kept him in contention at the inaugural 3M Open golf tournament here.

Atwal shot his second straight 68 and is now 12-under and tied-ninth, three shots off the lead as the crowded leaderboard promises an exciting finish.

Atwal, who was fourth after the first round and sixth after the second, is now ninth after the third.

But as against a six-shot deficit against the 36-hole leader, he is now only three behind the new leaders, a young pair of Matthew Wolff (62) and Collin Morikawa (64), who played golf against each other in high school, and Bryson DeChambeau (70).

Wolff and Morikawa grew up within 30 minutes of each other in California and are in their first month as professionals. Wolff shot 62 and moved into contention. They are all at 15-under.

Meanwhile India's other golfer, Anirban Lahiri (75) missed the 54-hole cut as he was tied 83rd.

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