JOIN USKhalin storms ahead of the field
In complete control at his home course, the 17-year-old Joshi carded a first-round two-under 69 to open up an eight-stroke lead over second-placed Imamul Haque of Delhi in Category A. Another local favourite and Junior Order of Merit leader S Chikkarangappa had a forgettable day, carding a seven-over 78. Chikka lies third, nine strokes off the pace.
In Category B, Hemendra Chaudhary hit a one-over 72 to emerge in front over a trio of golfers in second spot, seven strokes behind. Roshan Raj, Rohan Sharma and Rahul Ravi all carded eight-over 79s.
Joshi, who teed off from the par-four 10th hole, started his day on a bright note with a birdie.
The Bangalore lad hardly let the momentum slip for the entire course of action on the day.
He then had a blemishless ride until the turn before sinking birdies on the first, fourth and ninth holes. A lapse in concentration cost him bogeys on the second and seventh as he settled for a two-under card. Joshi, who has just cleared his 10th board exams from Frank Anthony Public School, drew applause from many after birdying the tough ninth hole.
A sand wedge on the third shot landed the ball on the green and a 10-foot putt resulted in a clenched fist in celebration.
Haque managed just two birdies to his eight bogeys, while Chikkarangappa disappointed by sinking four bogeys, two double bogeys and a triple bogey on the eighth hole, managing to save some face with birdies on the fourth and 12th holes.
Leading scores: Category A: 69: Khalin Joshi; 77: Imamul Haque: 78: S Chikkarangappa; 80: Amanpreet Singh; 81: Namit Gumbhir, Sachin Guieria, Sarhan Italia; 82: Kumal Bhatia, Arjun Sharma, Trishul Chinnappa.
Category B: 72: Hemendra Chaudhary; 79: Roshan Raj, Rohan Sharma, Rahul Ravi; 80: Yashas Chandra MS, Vashishta Pawar, Syed Saqib Ahmed; 81: Aman Raj, Manu Gandas.
Category C: 99: Sidharth S; 101: Rohit S Limaye; 108: Akshay M Vijare, Raghvir Chaudhary.