Thrilling finish awaits at IGU Andhra Pradesh Junior Boys Golf Championship
Arjun Dahiya retained a slender one-shot lead over Vihaan Jain after the penultimate round of the IGU Andhra Pradesh Junior Boys Golf Championship in Visakhapatnam. With three strokes separating the top four, a thrilling final day awaits across all categories
Hyderabad: The stage is set for an exciting final day, with only three strokes separating the top four on the leaderboard after the penultimate round of the IGU Andhra Pradesh Junior Boys Golf Championship at the East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
Overnight leader Arjun Dahiya held firm on the back nine with a one-over 73 to stay one shot ahead of Vihaan Jain (73), while Chaitanya Pandey (74) and Ishnidh Virdi (75) remained in contention, three shots off the pace.
Dahiya, who took his three-day tally to three-under 213, struggled on the front nine, allowing first-round leader Vihaan to take a four-shot lead at the turn. Starting from the 10th tee, Dahiya carded two three-putt bogeys (11th and 15th holes) and dropped another shot on the 12th, where his 3-wood tee shot found the right trees.
Vihaan, meanwhile, was solid with birdies on the 15th and 17th holes to build a big lead. However, Dahiya fought back with birdies on the second and ninth holes. Vihaan dropped a shot on the second and knocked his 5-wood tee shot out of bounds on the ninth, ending up with a double bogey to sit one shot behind the leader.
In Category ‘B’ (13–14 years), Pandey took a commanding 13-shot lead over Aditya Misra (76) with a cumulative total of even-par 216.
Drona Triumphs
Later, Drona Singh Dhull edged out Shan Alvi on the first playoff hole to clinch the Category ‘C’ (11–12 years) title after both had finished the 54-hole competition at seven-over 223.
Despite being three shots behind the leader going into the final day, Drona shot a one-under 71 to force a playoff. Alvi, who led for the first two days, managed only a two-over 74 in the final round.
Leading scores (after 54 holes):
Category ‘A’ (15–17 years): 213: Arjun Dahiya (Har, 70, 70, 73); 214: Vihaan Jain (Del, 67, 74, 73); 216: Chaitanya Pandey (Del, 72, 70, 74), Ishnidh Virdi (Kar, 70, 71, 75); 219: Shashank Sachin Gadre (Mah, 72, 74, 73); 220: Sidhant Nathan (Kar, 74, 75, 71).
Category ‘B’ (13–14 years): 216: Chaitanya Pandey; 229: Aditya Misra (Del, 75, 78, 76); 230: Saatvic Kumar Singh (78, 77, 75), Jaibir Singh Kang (77, 78, 75); 231: Aditya Tewari (Kar, 79, 77, 75).
Category ‘C’ (11–12 years): 223: Drona Singh Dhull (Har, 76, 76, 71), Shan Alvi (Del, 74, 75, 74) — Drona wins in playoff; 238: Sohraaab Singh Talwar (Pun, 84, 78, 76); 239: Vivaan Singh (Kar, 81, 80, 78).
