Chikka the best amateur at Indian Open

[1]

Local lad Seenappa Chikkrangappa, one of the five amateurs who made the cut at the ongoing Hero Indian Open golf tournament, fired a four-under 67 to jump 10 places to tied 10th here Saturday.

"I have played the Indian Open three times before but never made the cut," said Chikka, seated next to Anirban Lahiri who had the day's best round of five-under 66 and with whom he shares a great rapport. Both were at six-under 207.

"I was getting a bit desperate not making the cut at the Indian Open," said Chikka. "Maybe the Indian Open ought to have come to KGA a little earlier. Now I want to add to that by finishing well on the final day."

Only one amateur has won the Indian Open and that was way back in 1965, when PG Billoo Sethi emerged champion.

Chikka admitted that playing at the KGA is always a pleasure and an advantage. "This is where I play whenever I am here at home and I know it so well, and I have always done well here," said Chikka, who won the All India Amateurs at the KGA in January 2011.

On what he plans next, he said: "I will probably turn pro soon. I will look at the Q-School and what stage I get into for Asian Tour. Or I will play on Indian Tour for a year and then make a move up. I will see how things pan out in the next few months."

Khalin Joshi, who shot a brilliant 62 at this club last month in a domestic event, too, has plans to turn pro and like Chikka, he too has not finalized the exact route.

The 2002 Asian Games gold medalist, Shiv Kapur, who was once the top amateur in Indian Open, said: "I was stunned to see so many amateurs make the cut. It is really great. Making the cut at the Indian Open is a big deal and especially for amateurs."

Gaganjeet Bhullar, who along with Lahiri and Chiragh Kumar, formed the Indian amateur squad which won the silver medal at 2006 Asian Games, also had words of praise for the amateurs.

"These guys are playing great golf. Khalin recently shot a 62 here and that is amazing. The future is looking great," said Bhullar who himself is only 24 years old, but has been playing pro golf since he was 18.

On Sunday, Chikka will go out with Bhullar and Scott Hend, while Joshi plays his final round with Jesper Kennegard and Hung Chien-yao.