Ishnidh Virdi claims amateur golf crown; Keya wins ladies’ title

Ishnidh Singh Virdi clinched the IGU Rotary Southern India Bio-Gen Sansera Amateur Golf Championships in Bengaluru with a 10-under 278 total. Keya Kumar Badugu won the ladies’ title in a playoff, while Priya Kumari claimed the Category A crown

Hyderbad: Local golfer Ishnidh Singh Virdi completed a splendid wire-to-wire victory at the IGU Rotary Southern India Bio-Gen Sansera Amateur Golf Championships at the KGA course in Bengaluru on Friday.

Virdi shot a closing three-under-par 69 for an impressive four-day total of 10-under 278. Ranveer Mitroo (71) and Harjai Milkha Singh (76), who suffered a meltdown on the final day, finished tied at two-under 286. Prince Bainsla (72) finished fourth at one-under 287, making him the only other amateur to finish under par.

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Virdi got off to a sedate start even as his challengers fell behind early in the round. The 17-year-old got going with a 15-foot birdie putt on the eighth hole. He followed that up with further birdies on the 10th, 11th and 15th holes, leaving the rest to battle for second place. His lone blemish came on the 17th hole.

“It feels great to win my first-ever title on the Indian Golf Union circuit,” said an elated Virdi.

Keya clinches honours

In the ladies’ and junior girls’ events, Keya Kumar Badugu rallied brilliantly on the home stretch to edge out Anaahat Bindra, who had done most of the front-running, on the first playoff hole. The two were tied at one-under 215 after 54 holes.

Keya, who began the day one stroke off the lead, slipped four strokes behind after the 10th hole. However, the Delhi youngster, playing in only her second tournament of the season, did not let the setback bog her down. The 19-year-old fired a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th hole onwards to catch up with the leader.

In the playoff, Keya produced a brilliant drive and then chipped to within three feet of the hole for another birdie to claim the title and the winner’s purse of Rs 75,000.

“It has been a difficult year for me; this is a much-needed victory,” said a relieved Keya, who missed most of the season because of a recurring illness.

Local golfer Priya Kumari, who was also in contention at the start of the day, settled for the Category A (15-17 years) title by edging out fellow Bengalurean Dia Cris Kumar by two strokes. Priya shot a final-round 75 to finish with a total of four-over 220.

Ojaswini Saraswat won the Category B (13-14 years) title, while Aaliyah Kalra claimed the Category C (11-12 years) crown.

Final scores

Amateurs (after 72 holes): 278: Ishnidh Virdi (67, 69, 73, 69); 286: Ranveer Mitroo (72, 71, 72, 71), Harjai Milkha Singh (68, 70, 72, 76); 287: Prince Bainsla (71, 73, 71, 72); 289: Milind MG (72, 73, 71, 72), Prem Muniyappa (73, 71, 74, 71).

Ladies (after 54 holes): 215: Keya Kumar Badugu (73, 71, 71), Anaahat Bindra (70, 72, 73). Keya won in a playoff; 220: Priya Kumari (75, 70, 75).

Category A (15-17 years): 220: Priya Kumari; 222: Dia Cris Kumar (81, 70, 71); 224: Ayesha Gupta (71, 76, 77).

Category B (13-14 years): 225: Ojaswini Saraswat (73, 77, 75); 226: Anushka Gupta (77, 77, 72), Aida Thimmaiah (78, 75, 73).

Category C (11-12 years): 238: Aaliyah Kalra (86, 73, 79); 241: Vedika Bhansali (82, 79, 80); 247: Aarushi Sharma (85, 83, 79).