Ashok takes seven-stroke lead at the end of third round

Gurgaon, May 4 (UNI) Ashok Kumar surged into a seven-stroke lead while Gurbaaz Mann set a new course record to leap into the second position after the penultimate round of the Rs 15 lakh TSM Golden Greens Open Golf here today.

Ashok's tournament tally stands at 13-under 200, courtesy a third round 67.

Mann's six-under 65 broke the course record, held jointly by Joseph Chakola and Ashok Kumar, who incidentally equalled Chakola's effort in the opening round of this very tournament two days ago.

Mann's tournament aggregate stands at six-under 207.

The trio of Dinesh Kumar, Arjun Singh (both Delhi) and C Muniyappa (Bangalore) was tied third at 209, while Vivek Bhandari (Delhi) occupied the fifth place at 210.

Ashok's third round began with two straight birdies. On his opening hole, Ashok, placed the ball 10 feet from the pin with a driver and sand wedge and went on to find the heart of the cup. On the second, a three-iron, eight-iron combination saw him sink an eight-footer.

A series of pars followed till the 11th. On the 12th, Ashok's seven-iron left him with a six feet birdie putt which he accepted graciously. The 24-yearold finished his round with his fourth birdie of the day on the 18th, courtesy a superb approach shot that placed him two feet from the pin.

Mann began with a par but a weak three-iron on the second influenced by the wind placed his ball in the right bunker. A visit to the left bunker followed and Mann went on to drop a shot on that hole. This proved to be his only mistake of the day, as the tall golfer went on to birdie the third, fourth, seventh, 11th, 15th, 17th and 18th to etch his name in the record books as the new course record holder at the Golden Greens Golf and Country Club course.

Shaurya Singh shot a third round one-under 70 to open up a five-stroke lead in the amateur category. Manav Jaini was placed second at 216.

Scores: 200 Ashok Kumar; 207 Gurbaaz Mann; 209 Dinesh Kumar, Arjun Singh, C Muniyappa; 210 Vivek Bhandari; 211 A S Lehal Ali Sher, Mukesh Kumar; 212 S Madaiah; 213 Uttam Mundy, Shamim Khan.

UNI HSB AY DS1631