Mysore's Yashas Chandra brought home a sensational four-under 68 to lead on day one of the 115th Amateur Golf Championship of India at the Classic Golf Resort here today.
20-year-old Chandra, who is currently no. 4 on the IGU men amateur order of merit, carded six birdies and a couple of bogeys en route to a 68 which surged him ahead towards the first title on the amateur tour.
A disciple of Vijay Divecha (coach of Anirban Lahiri), Chandra, who hit 12 greens in regulation today said: "I made few mistakes but don't have much to complain as I am leading with two strokes on the amateur tour for the first time in my life.
"I just need to set a target for tomorrow and stick to that so that I can finish the day as the clubhouse leader tomorrow as well."
Winner of the 2012 Punjab Junior Championship, Chandra had to take a break from golf for a couple of years due to studies but now he is back in full action.
"At the beginning of this year, coming in the top 5 was my aim and now I am number four which shows that I am on my way to the target that I set. I would spend at least one more year on the amateur circuit before moving on to the Pro league," he said.
Faridabad's Priyanshu Singh shot two-under 70 to share the second spot along with Noida's Simarjeet Singh and Chandigarh's Karandeep Kocchar. Delhi's Arjun Prasad was one shot behind at the fifth position.
In the team championship that is happening concurrently, Thailand's Napong Sriparsit and Sangchai Kaewchareon both shot identical scores of 72 to take the lead at 144 while the Indian team of Samarth Dwivedi (72) and Aman Raj (75) were second at 147.
36 players will make the cut tomorrow for the knockout stage over four rounds. The tournament will conclude on December 20th with the 36-hole final.
