Golf: David D'Souza tops

The 2012 Duke of Edinburgh Cup winner David D'Souza topped the field in the 0-5 handicap category as the Toyota Karnataka Golf Festival got off to a great start at the KGA course here Thursday.

D'Souza had a a nett score of 37, calculated under the Modified Stableford Format edging past Tata Steel Haryana Open winner and 2011 Junior Golfer of the Year Saqib Ahmed by a single point.

Jyonko Hashayi and Amit Jaipuria in the 21-24 category, both ended the day at 37 points as well, with Amit Jaipuria winning on count-back, scoring 12 points in the back nine.

While every winner in each of the five categories (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-24), walked away with a Trophy and a Callaway Hybrid, the winning team of Amit Japuria and Balasabrunyam R, who carded a joint score of 79, won a couple voucher each for three nights and four days at The Serai resort in Karnataka.

With pleasant Bangalore weather providing the perfect setting, and close to 400 golfers yet to tee off, KGA will play host to some more rounds of great golf over the next three days as part of the Toyota Karnataka Golf Festival.

Consolidated results (Day 1):

Best Nett Individual Score: David D'Souza - 37 points. 0- 5 Handicap Category: D'Souza (-4 handicap) 1 (37 points); Saquib Ahmed (0) 2 (36). 6-10 Handicap: Utpal Desai (-9) 1 (37); Sagar Muthapa (-7) 2 (32). 11-15 Handicap: Balasubramanya R (-14) 1 (42); Tony Udagendara (-15) 2 (35). 16-20 Handicap: Ravi Sharma (-18) 1 (42); Madappa BC (-20) 2 (36). 21-24 Handicap: Amit Jaipuria (-21) 1 (37); Jyonko Hashayai (-24) 2 (37).