Mukesh Kumar played a fiery round submitting a card of five under 67 to emerge the leader in the Hero Open Golf tournament in Chandigarh on Saturday.

Closely following Mukesh, who was on seven under 209 after 54 holes, were Ashok Kumar and overnight leader Harinder Gupta, who had a bad round despite the weather being very helpful with no winds blowing.

Ashok submitted a card of two under 70 to tally six under 210 after 54 holes, while defending champion Gupta played badly submitting a card of two over 74.

The weather was very good with less heat and no winds as most of the golfers registered under par scores.

Local lad Ranjit Singh, who is currently placed sixth on the money list of the Amby Valley PGAI Tour 2004-05, recorded the best round of the day along with the Chennai  based pro Sandeep Syal and Mukesh Kumar as they all submitted a card of five under 67 in Saturday's round.

Scores (after 54 holes): 209 -- Mukesh Kumar (70,72,67); 210 -- Ashok Kumar (69,71,70), Harinder Gupta (66,70,74), 213 -- Ranjit Singh (74,72,67), Digvijay Singh (68,76,69), Pappan (70,71,72), Rafiq Ali (65,74,74).