Shubhankar Sharma mixed four birdies with four dropped shots in an even-par 72, while Marco Penge and Daniel Hillier shared the lead when darkness halted third-round play.

Shubhankar Sharma was unable to build on his encouraging start to the Husqvarna British Masters, slipping to tied 33rd after an even-par 72 at The Belfry.

The 29-year-old made four birdies, with two on each nine, but offset those gains with two bogeys and a double bogey. Sharma remained at 4-under through 54 holes, falling 20 places after beginning the third round tied for 13th.

At the top, England’s Marco Penge and defending champion Daniel Hillier were tied at 11-under when fading light brought play to an end. The final pairing had reached the sixth green, where both faced birdie putts when the suspension was announced.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin sat one stroke behind after completing six holes. Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay and South Africa’s Shaun Norris were another shot back at 9-under.

Earlier on Saturday, Penge and Hillier returned to complete the final four holes of their weather-delayed second rounds. Penge dropped one shot but retained a one-stroke halfway advantage, while Hillier completed his round in level par.

Penge extended his lead by converting an 18-foot birdie putt at the opening hole of the third round. However, he failed to get up and down at the second as Hillier knocked his approach close for birdie.

Hillier moved ahead with a two-putt birdie at the par-five third after Penge found the water and scrambled for par. Penge responded immediately, hitting his approach to tap-in range at the fourth to regain a share of the lead.

Both players parred the fifth before play was halted. They will return at 7am on Sunday and face a demanding 30-hole schedule as the tournament attempts to reach its conclusion following a week of repeated weather disruptions.

Photo – DPWT