Shashank Sachin Gadre retained the boys’ lead after the second round of the 26th NCR Cup Junior and Amateur Golf Tournament at Jaypee Greens Wish Town in Noida on Thursday.

Gadre followed his opening 67 with a three-under 68 to reach seven-under 135, giving him a three-shot advantage heading into the final round of the World Amateur Golf Ranking event.

Sakshity Pureandre made the biggest move in Category A, firing a five-under 66 to climb into second place at four-under 138.

Category B leader Chaitanya Pandey added a 70 to reach two-under 140. He was tied third overall with Category A players Arshvant Srivastava and Smyaan Gupta, who returned matching 71s. Zoravar Singh Toor also gained ground with a three-under 68.

Aditya Tiwari and Ayan Khan shared second place in Category B at eight-over 150, 10 strokes behind Pandey.

In the girls’ competition, Gauri Sharma broke away from an overnight three-way tie with a two-under 69, the only sub-par round in the division. She moved to three-over 145 and opened a two-shot lead over Aahana Kashyap, who posted an even-par 71.

Samaira Tomar was third at six-over 148 after another 71, while Category B leader Dalisha Chetry reached seven-over 149 following a 72.

Ritik Madan strengthened his position in the Gentlemen Amateur division with a level-par 71. A three-under 32 on the back nine helped him reach one-over 143 and establish a 14-shot lead over Kushagra Gaur (77-80). Harssh Ranna was third at 160. Anoop Singh moved into the lead in the Ladies Amateur division.

Categories C, D and E began their campaigns on Thursday. Avviraaj led the Category C Boys with a 74, one ahead of Mohammad Rehan, Drona Singh Dhull and Shan Alvi. Aaliyah Kalra opened with a 72 to lead the Category C Girls by 11 shots over Samaira Handa and Aadya Kaushal, who shot 83 each.

Taanush Kumar produced the day’s lowest 18-hole score, a six-under 65, to lead the Category D Boys by seven over Priyansh Jain. Mahira Sharma headed the Category D Girls after a 73.

In the nine-hole Category E competitions, Zowra Veer Sikand shot a five-under 31 to lead Lakshit Deswal and Siddhik Chaturvedi by two. Manasvi Rathor led the girls after a four-under 32, four clear of Kaaira Khunga.

Photo – Delhi Golf Soceity