Randhawa grabs lead at DLF Masters

Gurgaon: Two-time winner Jyoti Randhawa brought home a brilliant card of five-under 67 to grab a narrow one-stroke lead at the Rs 95 lakh DLF Masters golf tournament on Wednesday.

Randhawa sank as many as seven birdies against two bogeys to enjoy a one-stroke lead over Anirban Lahiri (68) at the DLF Golf and Country Club here. Asian tour winner, Anirban fired an eagle and four birdies but his effort was marred by two bogeys which he dropped at the fifth and 14th holes. Vijay Kumar scored a three-under 69 card to lie at the third place, while one-shot adrift was a pack of five golfers comprising Om Prakash Chouhan, Gaurav Ghei, Amardip Sinh Malik, Gurbaaz Mann and Deepinder Singh Kullar. Young sensation Himmat Singh Rai, who recently won his maiden Asian Tour title at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic, turned in an even-par 72 with the help of four birdies against a couple of bogeys and a double bogey to lie tied 12th. Defending champion Ashok Kumar, who is languishing at the 18th position in the money list because of a four-month injury lay off, was also tied 12th after hitting a matching 72. The 28-year-old golfer sank two birdies but those were negated by an equal number of bogeys. Gaganjeet Bhullar had a horrendous day in the greens as he struggled to a four-over 76 to lie tied 58th and risks missing the cut. A two-time winner at the European tour, SSP Chowrasia was a tad better, carding two-over 74 to lie at the 39th place. The 38-year-old Randhawa, who last won an Asian Tour title in 2009, picked up birdies at the second and sixth holes before dropping a bogey at the eight. However, the Delhi golfer made amends by picking up a slew of birdies at the ninth, 10th and 11th holes. He once again picked up a shot at the 16th but a bogey at the next held him back a bit. He sank another birdie on the 18th hole to end the day on a high. "I had a good birdie put at the 11th hole, I putted well today but missed a put at the 8th. I also found the water hazard at the 17th but other wise it was a good day of conversion. Conditions were windy and I feel I am lucky to have shoot five-under," Randhawa said. The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) money list leader Mukesh Kumar and Shamim Khan carded a matching one-over 73 to lie tied 23rd. PTI