Jyoti closes in but Ashok hangs on to lead PGTI Order of Merit

New Delhi, May 14 (UNI) Jyoti Randhawa's DLF Masters win gave the ace golfer his third consecutive victory on the PGTI Tour, narrowing the gap between himself and current Order of Merit leader Ashok Kumar, with his earnings soaring to Rs 31,59,000.

Ashok, who took his earnings for this season to Rs 40,12,875 after a top-ten finish at the DLF Masters, still looks the favourite to win the Order of Merit title but the race for the title is heating up with just a couple more events left to play.

''It is encouraging to see such figures up on the PGTI Order of Merit. The tour has already crossed rupees four crores and thirty-five lakhs this year and there is no limit to what we can achieve,'' said Jyoti.

A composed Ashok added, ''I have had a good season so far and look forward to maintaining this rhythm till the end of the season.'' Kolkata talent SSP Chowrasia, who went into the final round of the DLF Masters in third place but eventually finished tied sixth, also maintained his third place with Rs 21,60,750.

Chandigarh's Harmeet Kahlon also maintained his fourth position with Rs.15,00,950, while Digvijay Singh is breathing down his neck with Rs 14,09,145.

Young gun Gaganjeet Bhullar is ranked sixth with Rs.12,57,100 in earnings, while Shiv Kapur moved up to seventh place after his second place finish at the DLF Masters last week. He has earned Rs.11,96,000 in just three tournaments this season.

Singapore's Lam Chih Bing who is a regular on the PGTI Tour is placed eighth, followed by C Muniyappa and Shamim Khan.

Current 2006-07 PGTI Order of Merit list: 1.Ashok Kumar Rs 40,12,875; 2.Jyoti Randhawa Rs.31,59,000; 3.SSP Chowrasia Rs.21,60,750; 4.Harmeet Kahlon Rs.15,00,950; 5. Digvijay Singh Rs.14,09,145; 6.Gaganjeet Bhullar Rs.12,57,100; 7. Shiv Kapur Rs.

11,96,000; 8.Lam Chih Bing Rs.11,20,900; 9. C Muniyappa Rs.10,10,850; 10.Shamim Khan Rs.9,89,275.

UNI