Ashok maintains lead in PGTI Order of Merit, Jyoti follows

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) Ashok Kumar maintained his lead in the race for the prestigious PGTI Order of Merit for the 2006-07 season with earnings of Rs.27,18,000, following a second place finish at the AIS Golf Open, while Jyoti Randhawa moved to second place after his victory at the same event at Delhi Golf Club on Sunday.

''I am working hard on my game and hope to continue playing the way I have been playing the last few months. With a few more big prize money events still left to play I will need to be on top of my game to ensure that I win the Order of merit crown,'' said Ashok.

However, Ashok will face stiff competition from Jyoti.

Jyoti has confirmed his entry for the next event on the PGTI calendar -- the Crompton Greaves Open at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club later this month and is one of the top contenders in the race for the Order of Merit title, having already earned Rs.21,06,000 this season.

''I am looking forward to playing some more golf on the PGTI Tour before I head out to play the European Tour. It is good to see Indian professionals card record earnings and I am sure the fight for the title will heat up before the season ends," said Jyoti, who boosted his earnings by Rs 9,72,000 with the AIS Open victory.

Kolkata's SSP Chowrasia is also not far behind with Rs 19,43,000, while Harmeet Kahlon is fourth with Rs 13,21,800.

''I am putting in a lot of hard work as we still have a lot of important tournaments to play. I have been starting each week well and would like to be able to play more consistently,'' said Chowrasia.

Digvijay Singh, who has earned Rs 11.35,420 completes the top five rankings on the PGTI Order of Merit.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Lam Chih Bing is currently placed sixth and has committed to play the rest of the tournaments on the PGTI tour this season.

PGTI Order of Merit 2006-07: 1.Ashok Kumar Rs.27,18,000; 2. Jyoti Randhawa Rs 21,06,000; 3. SSP Chowrasia Rs 19,43,000; 4. Harmeet Kahlon Rs 13,21,800; 5. Digvijay Singh Rs 11.35,420; 6. Lam Chih Bing Rs 9,84,400; 7. C Muniyappa Rs 8,36,900; 8. Vivek Bhandari Rs 8,13,600; 9. Rahul Ganapathy Rs 6,01,500; 10. Arjun Singh Rs 5,53,670 UNI