Feroz leads with course record

Feroz Ali, riding on his new found form, cracked the course record with a superb seven-under 65 to assume lead at the Rs. 850,000 Servo Masters Golf 2001, which started at the par-72 Digboi Club Golf Links, on Thursday.

The previous course record was jointly held by Rahul Ganapathy and Praduman Guleria, who returned six-under 66 apiece at the same event last year.

Feroz's effort was however not good enough to grant him a comfortable night's sleep as Mukesh Kumar was close on his heels at second place at six-under 66. Dinesh Raghuvanshi (Pune), Harmeet Kahlon (Chandigarh), SSP Chowrasia and Yusuf Ali (both Kolkata) were tied third at two-under 70.

Defending Champion Sanjay Kumar (Lucknow) was tied with 1999 Servo Masters winner Rohtas Singh (Delhi) at one-under 71 for the seventh place.

Feroz Ali has taken a new liking for course records. Just two weeks ago, the Kolkata pro equaled the course record at the Tollygunge Club with an eight-under 62. A third place finish at the event (HT-Pro Golf 2001-Kolkata) was followed up by a fine win at last week's Surya Nepal Masters.

"My game is back where it belongs. The win last week did wonders to my confidence. I felt terrible after messing up my final round at Kolkata after leading the tournament for three days. But these things make you mentally stronger," said Feroz.

"My game was a mess before Kolkata. I spent the two weeks after the Honda-Siel Championship watching my swing on a video-cam and certain adjustments I made to my set-up and grip have solved the problem," he added.

Feroz had a birdie start to his round before he dropped his only shot of the day on the second where he missed his par from three feet. Thereafter his game was a revelation. A hat-trick of birdies from the fifth to the seventh were followed by four more on the back- nine on the 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th.

"I left myself with very short putts to make today," said the golfer, after returning 15 regulations. "My new Deep Red Wilson driver has given me more distance and accuracy. As for the course record, I dedicate it to my friend, philosopher and guide Manish Periwal of Tollygunge Club," concluded the '98 Indian Open winner, who felt that the course was in excellent condition, especially the greens which played very true. He pointed to his 26-putt total as evidence to the fact.

Mukesh Kumar has undoubtedly been the best golfer on Tour this season. The twice "Mahindra Golfer of the Year" award winner, however, has only two wins to his credit despite finishing in the top-five in nine of the past 12 events.

"I am playing better than I ever did in my career but the wins have just dried up. I am looking at the Servo Masters to break the jinx," he said.

Mukesh, a tenth tee starter began and ended his outward journey with bogeys. However, two birdies on the 13th and 14th saw him enter his back-nine at level-par. His game on the return journey reached a new zone with birdies on the third, fifth, eighth and ninth crowding over an eagle on the seventh.

"The golf course is playing great and the weather here is better than you get anywhere else in India," he said. "I know Feroz is a tough opponent but if he expects to have an easy time here he had better think again," added Mhow golfer.

Raj leads amateurs: Raj Singh played a consistent round of golf to lead the amateur field at four-over 76. Aparup Saikia was placed second at 81 while Ajay Barua was third at 83.

SCORES (after 18 holes): 65 _ Feroz Ali; 66 _ Mukesh Kumar; 70 _ DS Raguvanshi, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia, Harmeet Kahlon, Yusuf Ali; 71 _ Rohtas Singh, Sanjay Kumar; 72 _ Amit Dube, Minky Barbora; 73 _ Akbar Ali, Chini Ali, Rafiq Ali, Raju Ali, Sanjay Kumar Singh; Amateurs: 76 _ Raj Singh, 81 _ Aparup Saikia; 83 _ Ajay Barua.