Randhawa leads by one-stroke

Randhawa sank as many as seven birdies against two bogeys to enjoy a one-stroke lead over Anirban Lahiri (68) at the DLF Golf and Country Club here. Asian tour winner, Anirban fired an eagle and four birdies but his effort was marred by two bogeys which he dropped at the fifth and 14th holes.

Vijay Kumar scored a three-under 69 card to lie at the third place, while one-shot adrift was a pack of five golfers comprising Om Prakash Chouhan, Gaurav Ghei, Amardip Sinh Malik, Gurbaaz Mann and Deepinder Singh Kullar.

Young sensation Himmat Singh Rai, who recently won his maiden Asian Tour title at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic, turned in an even-par 72 with the help of four birdies against a couple of bogeys and a double bogey to lie tied 12th.

Defending champion Ashok Kumar, who is languishing at the 18th position in the money list because of a four-month injury lay off, was also tied 12th after hitting a matching 72. The 28-year-old golfer sank two birdies but those were negated by an equal number of bogeys. Gaganjeet Bhullar had a horrendous day in the greens as he struggled to a four-over 76 to lie tied 58th and risks missing the cut.

A two-time winner at the European tour, SSP Chowrasia was a bit better, carding two-over 74 to lie at the 39th place. The 38-year-old Randhawa, who last won an Asian Tour title in 2009, picked up birdies at the second and sixth holes before dropping a bogey at the eight.

However, the Delhi golfer made amends by picking up a slew of birdies at the ninth, 10th and 11th holes. He once again picked up a shot at the 16th but a bogey at the next held him back a bit.