On a day when the entire field struggled, defending champion Chikkarangappa and Chinappa carded four-over 75s to take a one-stroke lead at the Poona Club Golf Course. Another Bangalorean, Khalin Joshi, was tied for the third spot with Ankur Chadha and Ashbeer Saini.
Chikka wasn’t very pleased with his round. “I know I am leading but I didn’t play well at all today. I just wasn’t hitting the ball well,” he said.
Delhi lad Honey Hasoya held a three-stroke lead over Arrush Ahuja and Yashas Chandra in Category B (under-15) after returning a score of five-over 76.
Piyush Sangwan hit 75 to lead Category C (under-12) while Viraj Madappa is placed a distant second, five strokes behind.
Lohan on top
Delhi’s Abhinav Lohan survived a play-off to finish as the top seed in the qualifying round of the LG Gooricke Eastern India Matchplay championship at Kolkata on Tuesday.
The trio of Lohan, Rashid Khan and Imamul Haque totalled two-over 146 after two rounds, pushing the competiton into a play-off to determine who would get the top billing for the matchplay format tournament proper that kicks on Wednesday.
During the three-hole play-off, Rashid bogeyed the second to drop out of the race while Imamul Haque found the water twice on the third extra hole to accede the top spot to Lohan.
The winner of the main tournament will be decided after five rounds, including the semifinal and final, which will be played on December 27. The final will be played over 36 holes on a single day.
