The local golfer scored eight-under-64 to surge ahead of the field
Local golfer S. Chikkarangappa in action at Take Solutions Indian Masters
Bengaluru: For golfers, home course familiarity often breeds comfort and the script on the opening day of the Asian Development Tour’s Take Solutions India Masters, played true to that. On a sunny Wednesday at the Eagleton Golf course, led by the formidable S. Chikkarangappa, local golfers came out blazing. The 21-year-old, who practically grew up at the course, signed a red-hot card of eight-under-64 to surge ahead of the field.
A stroke adrift was Thailand’s Pijit Petchkasem with an opening round of 65, while Bengaluru-based Abhish-ek Jha had carded a six-under-66 to be placed third. Chikka set the course on fire as he played a personal best round on his home course to turn in a blemish-free card studded with nine birdies. The talented youngster got off to a sedate start with birdies on the fourth and seventh holes, where he missed a hole-in-one by a whisker.
Chikka struck it rich on the back nine as he produced a barrage of birdies, saving a shot each on the 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 16th holes.The only time Chikka looked like he was in danger of losing a stroke was on the final hole where he hit a bunker, but did well to bail himself out. Having missed the cut the previous week in Macau, Chikka was content with his performance. “It has been an emotional week for me as my grandfather passed away while I was away at Macau. And not seeing him for the last time did affect my performance there, but he wanted me to look ahead, so I have got my act together and happy with my performance.”
Bengaluru lad Khalin Joshi and Sri Lankan M. Dharma shot identical 67 to be tied fourth along with Deepinder Singh Kullar and Irishman Niall Turner. Another local performer of the day was Jha. The 27-year-old’s card was dotted with an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys. Jha, who at 6 feet 5 is the tallest player in the event, got off to a perfect start, opening his round with an eagle. His approach shot from about 185 yards landed within two feet of the flag. Jha narrowly missed another eagle from 12 feet on the eighth.
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