JOIN USPlaying for the first time in India, the 14-year-old from IMG Golf Course in Florida shot a superb level-par 72 to clinch the spotlight at the Eagleton Golf Resort.
Pooled in Category B, the youngster showed remarkable brains, understanding the course way better than some of the other juniors in the fray with an experience of playing here.
Saqib Ahmed was tied for second with Ainesh Ahluwalia while home-grown talent S Chikkarangappa shared the fourth spot with Karnataka Golf Association’s Trishul Chinnappa at 75.
Leading scores (after 18 holes): Category A&B: 72: Rigel Fernandes; 74: Saqib Ahmed, Ainesh Ahluwalia; 75: Trishul Chinnappa, S Chikkarangappa, Kelly Rao; 76: Roshan Raj, Rahul Ravi, Viraj Madappa, Shubhankar Sharma; 77: Prashob Nair, Rohan Sharma, Jairaj Singh Sandhu, Shivnaren Srinivas.
Category B: 72: Rigel Fernandes; 75: Kelly Rao; 76: Viraj Madappa, Shubhankar Sharma; 77: Jairaj Singh Sandhu, Shivnaren Srinivas; 78: Arrush Ahuja. Category C: 72: Piyush Sangwan; 73: Prakhar Asawa; 76: Karandeep S Kochar.