Ashok Kumar vaults into lead

His attitude, that has been moulded out of his journey from a caddy-boy at the Air Force Golf Club in New Delhi where he was not even allowed to play golf; to one of the country8217;s most promising stars, has held him in good stead at the Aamby Valley golf course, here.

On the eve of the tournament, Ashok was ridden down by a stomach bug. On the first day of the tournament, he trailed veteran Hendrik Buhrmann by one stroke; and after Round Two on Friday, has shot into the lead by four strokes from his nearest rival Simon Hurd of England.

8220;I don8217;t bother about what8217;s in store tomorrow. That only brings in more tension. I take each day as it comes,8221; he says, and aptly proves it during the day, holding his composure and cool temperament despite some close misses including a car as prize for a possible hole-in-one, to notch seven birdies and take the lead in the 400,000 tournament.

He does not hold a card on the Asian Tour but insists he does not even think about his career. 8220;I don8217;t have those kind of worries. I have the club and the ball in my hand 8212; and nothing concerns you beyond that. It is all about self-belief and high thinking says Ashok, who was the country8217;s top amateur from 1999-2001. If you are talented and willing to work hard, you will always get a helping hand,8221; he says.

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