Ashok Kumar swings it at the 9th Tata Open at Beldih course in Jamshedpur on Saturday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Nov. 20: Ashok Kumar is headed for the final round of the 9th Tata Open golf tournament with a six-stroke advantage.

The Delhi golfer fired a steady three-under 66 in round three that helped take his total to 17-under 190 on the penultimate day of the event today. Vijay Kumar of Lucknow and Delhi’s Manav Jaini occupy the second place at 11-under 196.

Today, the entire field played nine holes each on both courses — Beldih and Golmuri. While one half of the field teed off from Beldih, the other half began its round from Golmuri. Twenty-nine golfers with the best scores at the end of round two teed off from Golmuri and finished at Beldih. The par for the combined courses was 69.

The final round tomorrow will retain the format.

Ashok (59-65-66), the overnight leader by seven strokes, was in poor form on day three and made putts from eight to 10 feet on all his birdies. A couple of wayward drives led to bogeys for Ashok on the 13th and 14th. However, the Delhi golfer who is currently placed second on the 2010 Rolex Rankings, continues to be the hot favourite for the title as he enjoys a healthy six-stroke lead at the moment.

Ashok said: “I’ve had two excellent days at this event. But today’s performance was way below the mark as far as my expectations are concerned. I struggled with the driver and the putter in round three. I will focus on improving my driving in the final round in order to drive home the six-stroke advantage.”

Vijay Kumar (67-64-65) made six birdies against two bogeys in his round of four-under 65 that placed him tied second.

Manav Jaini’s (63-68-65) round of 65 also featured six birdies and two bogeys. Maniram Sharma is placed fourth with a total of eight under 199.

Defending champion Gurki Shergill is in tied sixth.