Ashok inches closer to title

Delhi golfer storms into sole lead after firing impressive five-under 67

Ashok, who pocketed the weather-interrupted DLF Masters with a dazzling 16-under 200 (54 holes) three weeks ago in Gurgaon, fired an impressive five-under 67 for a tournament total of 208 and a one-stroke lead at the Karnataka Golf Association.

Himmat Singh Rai, who matched Ashok’s third-round score, lies second while Rafick Ali Mollah (70) and overnight joint leader Shamim Khan (72) are tied third at 211.

Struggling to find his game over the last two rounds at perhaps one of the most testing courses in the country, Ashok seemed to find his rhythm at just the right time.

The big-hitting Order of Merit leader fired six birdies, the best being a chip-in from a bunker on the 17th.

The Delhiite’s only blot was a bogey on the fourth, apart from which he was just brilliant.
Himmat made the biggest move of the day, marching from tied seventh to second. The DLF Golf and Country Club pro also came up with six birdies and a bogey.

Leading scores: 208: Ashok Kumar (70, 71, 67); 209: Himmat Singh Rai (73, 69. 67); 211: Rafick Ali Mollah (72, 69, 70), Shamim Khan (69, 70, 72); 212: Anirban Lahiri (69, 73, 70); 213: Rahil Gangjee (78, 69, 66), Ajeetesh Sandhu (71, 73, 69), Digvijay Singh (71, 72, 70), Shankar Das (70, 72, 71), Manav Jaini (70, 69, 74); 214: Mukesh Kumar (68, 72, 74).