Jaitha leads on opening day

MUMBAI, Jan 14: Poona Club8217;s Amish Jaitha shot into lead with a level-par 70 on the opening day of the Classic Stripes Western India Amateur Golf Championships at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club course, Chembur, today.

Jaitha holds a one-stoke lead after 18 holes of the 72 hole strokeplay. The four players on 1-over 71 are Harmit Kahlon, Sheeraz Kalra, Manav Das and Sandeep Syal. Kahlon hit four birdies, including three on par-5s and one on the par-3 eighth.

The well built junior Sandeep Syal, who had shot a 2-under 68 in the Western India juniors, blasted an eagle on the 18th and there other birdies for a fine start on his campaign.

The leading positions after 18 holes, par-70: Amish Jaitha Pune 70, Harmeet Kahlon Chandigarh, Sandeep Syal Chennai, Sheeraz Kalra Lucknow, Manav Das Ambala 71, Digvijay Singh Meerut, Gagan Verma Delhi 74, Ratan Bali Mumbai, Amitya Chand Delhi, Jaideep Patwardhan Pune 75.