Young golfer Trishul Chinnappa carded a three-under 69 to take a one-shot lead on the opening day of the Tata Steel Southern Indian Amateur, here today.
The Bangalorean, who turns 20 next month, made full use fo his local knowledge even as he was closely followed by Vashista Pawar (70) at the Karnataka Golf Association course.
Another local lad Udayan Mane shot a one-under 71 to be tied for the third place along with Nikhil Sekhawat and Aman Raj.
As many as six players - Ainesh Ahluwalia, Arjun Singh, Vikram Rana, Advait Luthra, Samarth Dwivedi and Ankur Chadha shared the sixth place at 72.
Trishul who regularly plays at KGA began in the right earnest making a birdie on the opening hole. With consecutive birdies on the fourth and fifth, he was on a roll.
However, a double on the tough par-4 seventh, owing to a mistimed shot from the greenside bunker, pulled him back a bit. However, he regained two shots, making back to back birdies on the eighth and the ninth to take the turn at 3-under.
Although he missed on a couple of birdie opportunities from short distance, Trishul ensured that he did not commit any mistakes as he parred his way on the back nine to remain status quo.
"My hitting was a bit awry but I am happy with my round. I am looking to build up on the lead and take home the trophy," Trishul whose best finish this season has been a 5th place in the Tata Steel Northern India Amateur, said.
Meanwhile, Coimbatore lad Vashista Pawar made five birdies but yet returned a card of two-under 70. His birdies came on the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 14th while making bogeys on the 12th, 13th and 17th.
