Ashok maintains lead, eyes tourney record at Crompton Greaves Open

Mumbai, May 5 (UNI) Ashok Kumar was on fire as he carded another six-under-par, 64 today to run away with the lead at the inaugural Rs 70 lakh Crompton Greaves golf Open, with a total of 15-under-par, 195 at the par-70 Bombay Presidency Golf Club today.

Ashok, who is close to breaking the existing tournament record at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club, which currently stands at 16-under-par, played aggressively and carded birdies on the first, second, fourth and sixth holes, but a bogey on the par-four seventh hole where he found the right greenside bunker with his second shot and missed a short putt for par saw him make the turn at three-under-par, 32.

Ashok bounced back with a string of birdies on the 11th, 12th and 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-par 64 in as many days, taking his 54-hole total to 15-under-par, 195.

''I am very happy with my hitting and I believe in myself, which is what is helping me to play so well. I plan to repeat the same game plan tomorrow,'' said Ashok, who looks all set to card his fourth victory this season.

Meanwhile, youngster Gaganjeet Bhullar had a frustrating day. ''I made four birdies and four bogeys and could not do better than par.

I hit everything left today and missed four short putts - from within seven to eight feet,'' said Gaganjeet.

Bhullar's round consisted of birdies on the fifth, seventh, 16th and 18th holes and bogies on the third, sixth, eighth and 17th holes which saw him card a level-par 70, taking his tournament total to seven-under-par, 203. Gaganjeet has his work cut out as he is eight strokes behind the leader, Ashok.

Consistent Shamim Khan is a further two behind Gaganjeet with a total of five-under-par, 205 after he shot a 68 today. BG Lalith Kumara carded a three-under-par, 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-par, 208.

''It was a tough day out there for me and I did not score as well as I did during the last two days,'' said Uttam who carded a two-over-par, 72 in the third round.

However, Digvijay Singh was content with his performance today after he shot a three-under-par, 67 with birdies on the fourth, fifth, seventh and 12 th holes. His card was marred with just one bogey, on the par-three 17th hole where he found a bad lie after hitting hit tee shot to the left of the 17th green. ''I could have played better as I missed a lot of putts,'' said Digvijay.

Niel Mudra leads the amateur's after he carded a four-over-par, 74 today and is seven strokes clear of his nearest contender.

SCORES (AFTER 54-HOLES): 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