Sharma, who shot 74-75 on first two days and was 5-over for 36 holes, is now 3-under for 54 holes but as much as 10 shots behind the leader, Brooks Koepka (67). (Representational image)

New Delhi: Shubhankar Sharma blazed through the first nine in 6-under 30 on way to carding an 8-under 64, leapfrogging 45 places to be T-26 by the third round of THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in Jeju Island, South Korea, on Saturday.

It was the day’s best card and saw Sharma zoom from T-71st to T-26.

Sharma, who shot 74-75 on first two days and was 5-over for 36 holes, is now 3-under for 54 holes but as much as 10 shots behind the leader, Brooks Koepka (67).

Koepka, who can become World No. 1 with a win this week, is 13-under 203, while Ian Poulter (68) is tied for second place with second-round leader Scott Piercy (72) with 9-under 207.

The third round sizzler brought a huge smile on Sharma’s face.

“Really happy with the way I played today. I knew before starting that I had to go low to have any chance going into the weekend. Even for a good finish I had to go low today.”

There were six golfers tied for fourth, including Rafa Cabrera Bello (65) and first-round leader Chez Reavie (70). The others were Pat Perez (68), Cameron Smith (67), Jamie Lovemark (68) and Gary Woodland (68).