Ashok Kumar in sole lead in Indian Oil Xtra Premium Masters

Digboi, Feb 2 (UNI) Ashok Kumar carded a consistent one-under-par 71 to take sole lead of the Rs 20 Lakh IndianOil XtraPremium Masters with a total of ten-under-par 206 at the Digboi Golf Course today.

Ashok Kumar carded birdies on the fourth, fifth and seventh holes to get to three-under-par for the day early on, but a bogey on the par-four eighth hole where he duck-hooked his tee shot into the left rough saw him drop the first shot of the day.

However, he comfortably made a birdie on the par-five ninth hole to make the turn at three-under-par 33.

The back nine was a complete contrast. Ashok went on to birdie the 14th, but a bogey on the 15th and a double bogey on the par-four 18th hole where he found the hazard with his drive, saw him finish the day with a 71, good enough to take a one stroke lead over his nearest rivals.

Shamim Khan who trails the leader by one shot, carded a four-under-par 68 today and is placed sole second at 207.

Promising youngster Vikrant Chopra carded a three-under-par 69 to move up into a tie for third place alongside Delhi's Vinod Kumar with a 54-hole total of six-under-par 210.

Shankar Das, C Muniyappa and Vijay Kumar were a stroke behind, tied for fifth place.

UNI