Mediocre performance by Karandeep

BANGALORE: Playing his first event on the Junior Tour this season, S Chikkarangappa showed no rustiness 'that is often associated with a long lay-off ' en route a fine 69 on the opening day of the Toyota Etios Southern India Junior Golf Championships on Tuesday. The 17-year-old Bangalorean took a one shot lead over fellow-Bangalorean, Rahul Ravi, on a hot and humid day at the KGA in Category 'A' & 'B' (13-17 years). Syed Saqib Ahmed, the third leg winner of the IGU categorized event at the every course last week, could manage only an even-par 72 for a share of the third spot with Harjot Singh Soni. After asteady front nine, Chikka had an eventful return journey, sinking four birdiesagainst two bogeys, both coming on the par-5s (11th and 14th holes). In thecorresponding age group in the girls' section, local lass Aditi Ashok hit thefront with a three-over 75 round. Tvesa Malik, another Bangalorean, was twobehind in second spot. The 13-year-old Aditi was also leading Category 'B'(13-14 years). As expected, Bangalore boys have made the Toyota-IGUSouthern India Juniors a keen contest with All India Juniors and Mens' championChikka taking the lead with a 3 under par 69 followed by fellow golfers RahulRavi and Sayed Saquib Ahmad, held for the second and the third spotsrespectively. Rahul Ravi scored a two under 70 and Sayed Saqib Ahmad scored apar score to finish second and third respectively after the first round.(Boys): Category A&B (13-17 years): 69: S Chikkarangappa;70: Rahul Ravi; 72: Harjot Singh Soni, Syed Saqib Ahmed; 73: Yashas Chandra;Category 'B' (13-14): 75: Piyush Sangwan; 77: Shiv Srinivasan; 79: PrakharAsawa; 80: Feroz Singh Garewal, Nishant Bais; Cateogry 'C' (11-12): 80: TanvirKahlon; 83: Arjun Puri; 84: Karan Sharma; 85: Karandeep Kochar; 86: SarthakKohli; (girls: Category A&B): 75: Aditi Ashok; 77: Tvesa Malik; 80: AmritaSarna; 83: Milli Saroha; 84: Nikita Arjun; (Category 'B'): 75: Aditi Ashok; 82:Ridhima Dilawari; 94: Gurjot Badwal; 100: Amrita Anand. Category 'C': 91: ArushiPandey; 93: Suchitra Ramesh; 97: Riya Ahuja, Shruti Shenoy