Ashbeer takes early lead

Bangalore’s Chikkarangappa was two strokes further back with a round of even par 70,to be placed third on the overall list. In Category B,Ashbeer was followed by Ankur Chadha who carded a round of four over 74,to find himself seven strokes behind the Kapurthala lad.

There were no surprises in Category C as Honey Basoya led the U-12 group with a round of three over 73. He shares the lead with Viraj Madappa who shot an identical 73. Winner of the Lalit Suri All-India Juniors in Category C,Tutul Ali,was two strokes behind the leaders with a round of five over 75.

Ashbeer got off to a rough start,with two bogeys in the first six holes but back-to-back birdies on the 7th and 8th allowed him to breathe easy and make the turn at even par. An eagle on the 10th was followed up by a double bogey on the 12th. Almost as if the warning bell rung in his head,he followed it up with four consecutive birdies till the run was stopped with a par on the 17th. A bogey on the final hole meant that Ashbeer had to be content with a final score of 67.

Reflecting on his round,Ashbeer said: “The double bogey was disappointing and I tried to focus a lot more after that and played my irons really well to make the consecutive birdies. I was disappointed with the bogey on the last hole where I missed a chip and putt which would have given me a four under round.”

Ashbeer has held the lead going into the final round in the last two strokeplay tournaments he has played,most recently at the Lalit Suri All-India juniors played last week. Talking about the final round slip and the change in his gameplan this week he said: “I think this time I have to play really well and keep up the focus. Last week despite my slip,Rashid played a really good final round but this time around I am determined to get a win.”