April 13, 2018: A fourth straight under par round helped Yashas Chandra score a sensational seven stroke victory in the Karnataka Amateur Golf Championship. Chandra shot an elegant 69 to clinch a comfortable victory over another Karnataka golfer, Basavaraju GN. In the ladies event, Ridhima Dilawari also scored a seven shot victory despite making just a 75 in the final round.
Rhea Purvi Saravanan made 75 too, gaining a two stroke victory over Tanirika Singh, in the category A competition for girls. A brilliant final round 68 helped Pranavi Urs defeat Anika Verma in the category B event for girls.
In category C, an inspired Rishika M scored a massive 16 stroke victory over Nishna Patel, with an even 72 in the final round. Rishika’s impressive effort this week was highlighted by a brilliant 68 in the third round.
In the combined category A & B, Pranavi’s 216 (75-73-68) helped her edge out Tamil Nadu golfer Rhea by one stroke. Tanirika Singh finished in third with an overall score of 220.
In an effort that capped off a spectacular week for Chandra, the young amateur from Mysore produced a blemishless card on Friday to underline his stellar performance on the Eagleton golf course.
A birdie at the eighth helped him make the turn in 35 strokes. Back to back birdies at 11 & 12 strengthened his grip at the top and was enough to account for his three under card of 69.
Bogeys at the third and six sent Basavaraju farther from the lead, as he reached the bend with 37 strokes already on his card. But the determined Karnataka golfer signed off in style with a pleasing 32 stroke romp on the inward stretch.
Maharashtra’s Pranav Mardikar pipped Punjab’s Yuvraj Singh by a solitary stroke to take third place. Pranav shot 70 in the final round. Anirudh K was also tied in fourth with Yuvraj, both golfers making 73. However, Anirudh had reason to be disappointed, having letting slip a good advantage midway through the round.
Anirudh reached past the ninth hole in just 34 strokes. At that juncture, he seemed set to take second spot behind Chandra, but a 39 stroke back nine, with bogeys at 9, 11 & 12 dampened the result for the Telangana boy.
