Defending champ Shamim takes four-shot lead in Digboi

Delhi's Shamim Khan strengthened his claims for a title defence at the IndianOil Servo Masters Golf, firing the tournament's best round of seven-under-65 on day three that catapulted him into a commanding four-shot lead here on Friday.

Shamim picked up 8 birdies against a lone bogey to take his three-day total to 11-under-205 here.

Kolkata's Mohammad Sanju, the halfway leader by four shots, dropped to tied second at seven-under-209 after posting a score of 76 at the Digboi Golf Links.

Sanju was joined by Chandigarh's Harendra Gupta (72) and Noida's Gaurav Pratap Singh (69) in tied second.

Shamim (70-70-65), who was seven shots off the lead in tied fourth at the halfway stage, had a sedate front-nine on Friday as he exchanged two birdies for a bogey.

The 40-year-old reigning PGTI Order of Merit champion then began turning on the heat on the back-nine as his putter was on fire.

Khan, a two-time champion in Digboi and the current holder of the trophy, picked up a birdie on the 11th and ..