Thaindian News

Coimbatore, June 16 (IANS) Asian Games silver medalist and Faldo series winner Chandigarh’s Abhijit Chadha played consistently and reaped rich rewards as he moved into a four-shot lead with one more day to go in the IGU sanctioned Inter State Amateur Golf Championship at the Coimbatore Golf Club here Thursday.

Chadha carded a two-over 74 to move to a three-day total of 224, while All India Amateur Matchplay champion, S. Chikkarangappa, brought in an even par 72 to move to second place at 228.

Chadha (74) along with H.S. Kang’s excellent 73 helped Chandigarh make a big leap in the team championships as they rose to the top, where they shared the place with Karnataka’s Chikka and Khalin Joshi. Both teams were in tied first at 457. Delhi B, who were the early leaders slipped to third at 463 with Sidharth Semwal and Honey Baisoya. Haryana B with Manav Das and Sahil Kulkarni at 468 were fourth.

In the third place in individual competition was another Bengaluru golfer, Khalin Joshi, who despite a 79, stayed in contention at 229. Overnight leader Semwal struggled to a round of 83 and slipped to tied fourth alongside Das (75), Jasjeet Singh (76), Manish Goyal (76) and C.G. Somaiah (76). All five were placed at 230.

Chikka, who began bogey-bogey steadied himself with two birdies on fourth and ninth and no further bogeys for an even par 36 on front nine. On the back stretch, he had a double bogey on 10th, but quickly made up with three birdies in a row from 13th to 15th to go under par. But a bogey on 17th brought him to par again.

So far only Angad Cheema’s 71 on second day remains the only sub-par round of the event played at a windy and demanding course.

Sixtynine players have made the cut and will figure for the final two rounds and of them 38 will be playing for the individual honours.