Local lad, Dhruv Toshniwal of Category 'B' carded an impressive opening round of 78 to take the honours on the opening day of the Nokia Western India Junior/Sub Junior Golf Championship at Bombay Presidency Golf Club here today.
He was followed closely by category rookie, Rommel Majumdar (79), who was the winner in the C category last year and Madhav Soi, who also put in a card of 79.
Chandigarh’s Rahul Bakshi shot the finest round of the day to card a level par 70 after the opening round of Category 'A'.
Jaipur’s Amanjyot Singh is following close behind at two over 72 in the same category.
Category C is led by Chikka Rangappa of Bangalore, who carded 79 and took a comfortable six stroke lead over his nearest competitors, Tarandeep Chadha and Ashbir Singh Saini, who both played to 15 over (85).
In Category B, Dhruv Toshniwal, the local lad, played the course just as it were his backyard and displayed great consistency with twelve pars but unfortunately a couple of bad turns and he landed up with two double bogeys, which hurt him from taking an even bigger lead than the one stroke lead he enjoys over another impressive young golfer Rommel Majumdar.
Among the leaders in Category C Chikka Rangappa of Bangalore returned the best round. Playing his rookie season on the IGU recognized junior tour, the young golfer carded nine pars but lost nine strokes thereafter.
However, it was enough to give him an impressive six stroke lead over Tarandeep Chadha and Ashbir Singh.
India’s golf prodigy, Viraat Badhwar heads the field in the D category which starts tomorrow.
Scores: Category A (15-17 yrs): Rahul Bakshi (70), Amanjyot Singh (72), Kunal Balhara (74). Category B (13-14 yrs): Dhruv Toshniwal (78); Rommel Majumdar (79) Madhav Soi (79). Category C (11-12 yrs): Chikka Rangappa (79), Tarandeep Chadha (85) Ashbir Singh Saini (85).