Ashok maintains lead, eyes tournament record at Crompton Greaves

Mumbai, May 5 (UNI) Ashok Kumar is on course to settig a new tournament record as he carded six-under 64 to maintain the lead with a total of 15-under 195 at the end of round three at the inaugural Rs. 70 Lakh Crompton Greaves Open here today.

The existing tournament record at the par-70 Bombay Presidency Golf Club stands at 16-under-par and going by his 64 today following 67 and 64 in previous two days, Ashok would be eyeing to erase the mark on the last day tomorrow.

He carded birdies on the first, second, fourth and sixth holes, but a bogey on the par-four seventh hole saw him make the turn at three-under 32.

Ashok bounced back with three successive birdies from 11th to 13th holes, dropped a shot on the par-three 17th after hitting the right bunker off the tee but a final birdie on the last resulted in his second consecutive six-under 64 in as many days, taking his 54-hole total to 15-under 195.

Gaganjeet Bhullar is eight strokes behind Ashok at second after a frustrating day with a level par 70.

Consistent Shamim Khan is a further two strokes behind Gaganjeet with a total of five-under 205 after he shot a 68 today. BG Lalith Kumara carded a three-under 67 after two rounds of 70 and is currently placed fourth at 207.

Uttam Singh Mundy, Digvijay Singh and Amardip Sinh Malik are tied for fifth place at two-under 208.

Results after Round Three: 195. Ashok Kumar (67, 64, 64); 203. Gaganjeet Bhullar (64, 69, 70); 205. Shamim Khan (70, 67, 68); 207. BG Lalith Kumara (70, 70, 67); 208. Uttam Singh Mundy (68, 68, 72), Amardip Sinh Malik (70, 67, 71), Digvijay Singh (70, 71, 67); 210. Yusuf Ali (66, 70, 74), Mukesh Kumar (65, 74, 71), Vijay Kumar (64, 76, 70) UNI