Published: October 8, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Overnight leader Ishnidh Singh Virdi struggled a bit with his iron play on a tough scoring day, but came up with the goods under pressure to carry a one-shot lead into the final day of the IGU Rotary Southern India Bio-Gen Sansera Amateur Golf Championships in Bengaluru.
Virdi’s one-over-par 73 in the third round at the KGA course on Thursday helped him stay ahead of his playing partners, who were snapping at his heels from the get-go. The homeboy took his three-day total to seven-under-par 209 to keep his hopes alive of winning his maiden amateur title.
Virdi opens up two-shot lead in Bengaluru; Anas Khan and Harjai share second spot
Harjai Milkha Singh, who like Virdi is seeking his first win in the senior ranks, birdied the final hole for an even-par 72 to climb to second place. Anas Khan (73) bogeyed the closing hole to slip to the third place, one stroke further back at five-under 211. The trio of Prince Bainsla (71), Ranveer Mitroo (72) and Krish Chawla (73) was four further shots further back in tied fourth spot.
A 10th-tee starter, Virdi dropped shots on the 11th and 18th holes. However, he birdied the 12th by holing a monstrous 40-foot downhill putt from the fringe, and later made a fine par save by sinking a 36-foot putt on the second hole.
Bengaluru-lad Ishnidh Vridi’s one-over-par 73 in the third round at the KGA course on Thursday helped him stay ahead of his playing partners
He dropped a shot on the fifth hole after pulling his drive into the left trees. After saving a tricky nine-foot par putt on the seventh, he birdied the eighth hole for a 73.
Anahat Bindra stays two-shots ahead
After letting slip her two-stroke cushion on the front nine, overnight leader Anaahat Bindra came up with two clutch birdies on the back nine to stay two shots ahead of the field in the Ladies and Junior Girls’ championships.
Anaahat shot a gritty even-par 72 in the second round to bring her two-round total to two-under 142. Delhi’s Keya Badugu, who had caught up with the leader at the turn, carded a one-under 71 to sit in sole second spot.
Local girl Priya Kumari, a Category ‘A’ (15-17 years) player, shot a two-under 70 to stay in the mix, a shot further back but two strokes ahead of Ayesha Gupta (76).
After dropping shots on the fourth and sixth holes, Kolkata’s Anaahat fought back with birdies on the 14th and 17th to stay on course for her maiden title.
Leading scores: Amateurs (after 54 holes): 209: Ishnidh Virdi (67, 69, 73); 210: Harjai Milkha Singh (68, 70, 72); 211: Anas Khan (69, 69, 73); 215: Prince Bainsla (71, 73, 71), Ranveer Mitroo (72, 71, 72); Krish Chawla (69, 73, 73); 216: Tanish R Gowda (70, 71, 75).
Ladies, ‘A’ & ‘B’ combined (after 36 holes): 142: Anaahat Bindra (70, 72); 144: Keya Badugu (73, 71); 145: Priya Kumari (75, 70); 147: Ayesha Gupta (71, 76); 148: Yogya Bhalla (73, 75); 149: Anoushka Suresh Kannan (75, 74).
Category ‘C’ (11-12 years): 159: Aaliyah Kalra (86, 73); 161: Vedika Bhansali (82, 79); 164: Ridhima Kapoor (82, 82); 167: Aashna Amogha (85, 82).
