Debutant Krishnav Nikhil Chopraa shot five birdies against one bogey and a double to be placed Tied-20th, the best among seven Indians, on the opening day of the 13th Asia Pacific Amateur Championships, on Thursday. Two trips into the water midway through the round blotted Chopraa’s card that, otherwise, looked impressive. The 17-year-old, who spells his second name with an extra ‘a, was five shots behind the leader, China’s Bo Jin (65) when the round ended at the Amata Spring Country Club.
It was a disappointment for other Indians as Shat Mishra (73) was next best at Tied 50th. Rayhan Thomas, Arjun Gupta, and Milind Soni, with 74 each, were Tied 61st, Aryan Roopa Anand (75) was Tied 74th and Shaurya Bhattacharya (76) was Tied 80th. The Top-50 and ties will make the cut.
The first-day leader Bo Jin began the day with a bogey but did not put a foot wrong thereafter closing with 7-under 65. He had six birdies and an eagle after that for a two-shot lead at the end of the first day.
Bo, whose brother, Cheng, won the championship in 2015, has finished third and eighth in his previous two starts at the event.
On a low-scoring day, when preferred lies were allowed following overnight rain, Bo was followed by Singaporean James Leow, who missed a Korn Ferry Tour card by two shots, and 15-year-old Thai sensation ‘TK’ Ratchanon Chantananuwat, who won a pro event on Asian Tour. Leow and ‘TK’ shot 67 each.
Read more: https://sports.ndtv.com/golf/with-cricketer-dad-nikhil-chopraa-as-caddie-krishnav-off-to-solid-start-in-asia-pacific-amateur-golf-3466610
