Rahul Bakshi takes sole at Sunfeast Chandigarh Junior golf

Chandigarh, Oct 5 (UNI) Local lad Rahul Bakshi turned the heat with a penultimate round of 68 to open a gap of four strokes on the leaderboard in the senior Category 'A' of the Sunfeast Chandigarh Junior/Sub Junior Golf Championship at the par-72 Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

Bakshi, whose tournament tally now stands at six-under 210, stamped his authority with some precision display of golf.

He started his day with a birdie on the second and third but a bogey on the fifth pulled him back as he turned at one-under. The back nine saw the leader play flawless golf as he recorded birdies on the 10th, 13th, 16th and 17th holes.

A bogey on the 12th was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect back nine.

''I am satisfied with the way I hit my driver and overall I am happy with my game,'' Bakshi later said.

''I missed an easy putt on the 12th but a chip-in for a birdie on the 17th more than made it up. The course was in mint condition due to the efforts of the captain and course manager and it helped me to shoot such a low score,'' he added.

Meanwhile, opening day leader Rashid Khan submitted a card of one under 71 to occupy the second place at 214, while Amanjyot who was placed fourth overnight shot a level par 72 to jump to third place at 221 in the event which forms the sixth leg on the National Junior/Sub Junior golf tour.

Kanishk Tulsyan shot a two-under 70 to occupy fourth place at 223. Khan had three birdies in the front nine these coming on thethird, fifth and eighth holes. His only bogey came on the sixth as he turned at two-under. On his back nine Khan, however, dropped a shot on the 12th and three-putted on the 15th for a double bogey to finish the day at one-under.

In Category 'B', Raghav Bhandari brought in a card of 79 to lead the field at 228, while Chikka Rangappa joined Anish Gupta in second place at 232 with rounds of 81 and 82 respectively. Kapil Kumar carded a 78 to occupy the fourth place at 240.

In Category 'C', Ashbeer Singh Saini opened up a ten stroke lead from Ankur Chadha.

Saini played a brilliant 76 to tally 232, while Chadha's aggregate stood at 242 after a round of 85. Tarun Deep Chadha was placed third at 244, while Jai Pal Singh was a further seven strokes behind in fourth place at 251.

In category 'D', Master Honey who was placed fourth overnight, showed tremendous grit and fighting spirit to fire a round of 76 tooccupy the pole position at 160.

One stroke behind was overnight leader Vidit Singh who returned a card of 79 today to tally 161. Akash Srinivasan fired a round of 81 to occupy third place at 164.

Scores: Category A (15-17 yrs): 210 Rahul Bakshi (72, 70, 68); 214 Rashid Khan (69, 74, 71); 221 Amanjyot Singh (72, 77, 72); 223 Kanishk Tulsyan (76, 77, 70) Category B (13-14 yrs): 228 Raghav Bhandari (75, 74, 79); 232 Chikkarangappa (78, 73, 81); Anish Gupta (76, 74, 82); 240 Kapil Kumar (79, 83, 78) Category C (11-12 yrs): 232 Ashbeer Saini (80, 76, 76); 242 Ankur Chadha (81, 76, 85); 244 Tarundeep Chadha (82, 80, 82); 251 Jai Pal Singh (86, 81, 84) Category D (10 and below): 160 Master Honey; 161 Vidit Singh (82, 79); 164 Akash Srinivasan (83, 81) UNI XC PDS AB KN1905