Kushi hits the front

Teen Kushi Hooda stayed cool under the intense heat to take a surprise lead in the opening round of the IGU Southern India Ladies' and Junior Girls' Golf Championship at the Clover Greens on Tuesday.

The Delhi girl, a Category B competitor, shot two-under 68 to hit the front, one shot ahead of Sifat Alag. The duo of Sneha Sharan and Zoya Vayangankar were tied for third spot at 70.

Kushi made a fine start to her round, birdieing the second hole. She dropped a shot on the fifth hole but immediately negated that damage with a birdie on the sixth hole. Kushi struck her third birdie on the 12th hole before parring the next six holes to take the clubhouse lead.

Leading scores (after 18 holes): Category A, B & Ladies: 68: Kushi Hooda; 69: Sifat Alag; 70: Sneha Sharan, Zoya Vayangankar.

Ladies: 69: Sifat Alag; 71: Gurjot Badwal; 75: Geetika Ahuja.

Cat A (15-17 years): 70: Sneha Sharan; 71: Shreya Pal; 72: Tanirika Singh.

Cat B (13-14): 68: Kushi Hooda; 70: Zoya Vayagankar; 73: Rakshita Singh.