Mukesh Kumar set himself on course for his sixth title on the Amby Valley PGAI Tour 2004-05 with a record breaking 11-under 59, the first ever below-60 score by a golfer on the Indian Tour, in the third round of the DDA Open Golf Championship in New Delhi on Friday.
Following the record-breaking feat, Mukesh's tally stood at 23-under 187 at the end of 54 holes, four strokes clear of the duo of Vishal Singh and Yusuf Ali.
Overnight leader Rafick Ali, affected by a shoulder problem, failed to continue in the same form that he displayed in the first two rounds. He slipped down to the fourth place after submitting a card of one-under 69 to tally 16-under 194 at the end of the third round.
Mukesh played some superb golf as after starting on a poor note with only one birdie to his name after the first five holes, he stepped on the gas with an eagle on the sixth.
He then made birdies on the seventh, eighth and 10th and followed it with yet another eagle on the 11th. The birdie streak then returned on the 14th, 15th and 18th holes.
Mukesh with his 11-under 59 finish broke the course record set by Rafick Ali the first day.
Yusuf Ali played a consistent round of five-under 65 to be placed at tied second spot with Vishal Singh, who submitted a card of eight-under 62 for the day.
Scores (after 54 holes): 187 - Mukesh Kumar (64,64,59); 191 -- Vishal Singh (65,64,62), Yusuf Ali (62,64,65); 194 - Rafick Ali (61,64,69); 195 - Amardip Sinh Malik (67,66,62), Gurbaaz Mann (67,66,62), Ashok Kumar (63,65,67), C Muniyappa (62,64,69).