India's professional golfer Shamim Khan took a solo lead in the bti International Golf championship with an eleven-

under-par (205) at the end of the third round at the Kurmitola Golf Club yesterday.

Shamim played three under with five birdies and two bogies, just enough to keep him on top of the table. Sayum who shifted from third to second with an aggressive round of four-under-par is right on Shamim's heels. Shamim settled for a three-under-par (69) on the third day with five birdies and two bogies, just enough to keep himself a shot clear of Bangladesh's Mohammad Sayum, who carded four- under-par (68).

Herender Gupta of India lit up the day with an astonishing hole-in-one on the eight which helped him take the joint third place at nine-under-par (207), along with Shakhawat Hossain Sohel of Bangladesh, who knocked down his second shot from one hundred and forty yards for an eagle and amateur golfer Mohammad Nazim.

Jamal Hossain Mollah and Ranjit Singh dropped to fourth position having played one-under-par and even-par respectively.

With the top players only a stroke or two apart, the final day's play is should be an entertaining one and it will not be a surprise if anyone from within the top ten run away with the winner's paycheque in this 30 lakh taka event.