Mangalorean Rigel Fernandes Shoots Best at All India Junior Golf
Bangalore, Dec 28 (IANS) Rigel Fernandes may be just 14, but the quality of golf he showed in the first round Monday of the All India Junior and sub-Junior Amateur Golf championship at the Eagleton Golf Resort here was way beyond his years.
Carding an even par 72 with three birdies on the first, fourth and 16th against three bogeys on 11th, 14th and 15th, Fernandes, who plays at the IMG Golf Course Academy in Florida and featuring in an event in India for the first time produced the best score for the day across all age groups.
He led the Group B for 13-15 years, while in the A category (15-18 years) Saqib Ahmad from KGA, Bangalore is leading along with Ainesh Ahluwalia from DLF Gurgaon at two over 74. At three over 75 are Trishul Chinnappa (KGA) and Chikkarangappa (Eagleton).
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In Group B, Fernandes who has been living in the US for the last five years and won several tournaments including a third position in the under-14 category of the US Kids World golf championship, outdrove all others. He then capitalised on it with some good iron play and putting.
In the C Category (11 to 13 years), Piyush Sangwan from DLF and Prakhar Asawa from Rambagh Golf course, Jaipur are leading the field with 72 and 73, respectively. At four over par 76 is Karandeep Kochar from Chandigarh. Tanvir Kahlon from Delhi and Arjun Prasad from Hyderabad are tied at fourth position with a score of nine over par 81.
On the second day, 30 players each in A & B Category along with 21 players from C category will be playing. Joining them will be six girls each in Category A, B and C along with 30 boys and Girls in D Category (below 11 years) and five children under 8 years.