Ishnidh Virdi retains one-shot lead at Southern India Amateur Golf Championships

Overnight leader Ishnidh Singh Virdi carded a one-over 73 to retain a one-shot lead after 54 holes at the IGU Rotary Southern India Bio-Gen Sansera Amateur Golf Championships. Harjai Milkha Singh moved to second, with Anas Khan third

Hyderabad: Overnight leader Ishnidh Singh Virdi struggled with his iron play on a tough scoring day but held his nerve under pressure to carry a one-shot lead into the final day of the IGU Rotary Southern India Bio-Gen Sansera Amateur Golf Championships.

Virdi’s one-over-par 73 in the third round at the KGA course in Bengaluru on Thursday took his three-day total to seven-under-par 209, keeping alive his hopes of winning his maiden amateur title.

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Harjai Milkha Singh, who like Virdi is seeking his first win in the senior ranks, birdied the final hole for an even-par 72 to move into second place. Anas Khan (73) bogeyed the closing hole to slip to third, one stroke further back at five-under 211.

The trio of Prince Bainsla (71), Ranveer Mitroo (72) and Krish Chawla (73) was four shots further back in tied fourth place.

Starting from the 10th tee, Virdi dropped shots on the 11th and 18th holes. However, he birdied the 12th by holing a monstrous 40-foot downhill putt from the fringe and later made a fine par save by sinking a 36-foot putt on the second hole.

He dropped a shot on the fifth hole after pulling his drive into the left trees. After saving a tricky nine-foot par putt on the seventh, he birdied the eighth for a 73.

After letting slip her two-stroke cushion on the front nine, overnight leader Anaahat Bindra came up with two clutch birdies on the back nine to stay two shots ahead of the field in the Ladies and Junior Girls’ championships.

Anaahat shot a gritty even-par 72 in the second round to take her two-round total to two-under 142. Delhi’s Keya Badugu, who had caught up with the leader at the turn, carded a one-under 71 to move into sole second place.

Local player Priya Kumari, a Category A (15-17 years) competitor, shot a two-under 70 to stay in contention, one shot further back but two strokes ahead of Ayesha Gupta (76).

After dropping shots on the fourth and sixth holes, Kolkata’s Anaahat fought back with birdies on the 14th and 17th to stay on course for her maiden title.

Leading scores:

Amateurs (after 54 holes):
209: Ishnidh Virdi (67, 69, 73)
210: Harjai Milkha Singh (68, 70, 72)
211: Anas Khan (69, 69, 73)
215: Prince Bainsla (71, 73, 71), Ranveer Mitroo (72, 71, 72), Krish Chawla (69, 73, 73)
216: Tanish R Gowda (70, 71, 75)

Ladies, ‘A’ & ‘B’ combined (after 36 holes):
142: Anaahat Bindra (70, 72)
144: Keya Badugu (73, 71)
145: Priya Kumari (75, 70)
147: Ayesha Gupta (71, 76)
148: Yogya Bhalla (73, 75)
149: Anoushka Suresh Kannan (75, 74)

Category ‘C’ (11-12 years):
159: Aaliyah Kalra (86, 73)
161: Vedika Bhansali (82, 79)
164: Ridhima Kapoor (82, 82)
167: Aashna Amogha (85, 82)