Madappa, Simarjeet for Nepal Amateur Open golf

After his recent success in last week's Faldo Series in China, Kolkata's Viraj Madappa has been selected by the Indian Golf Union (IGU) to represent India at the fifth Nepal Amateur Open Golf Championship.

The 17-year-old, ranked second on IGU's amateur tour, will be joined by Noida's veteran Simarjeet Singh, ranked 6 on the IGU amateur tour. Both Madappa and Simarjeet will compete against top golfers from Saarc nations.

The three-day stroke play event organised by the Nepal Golf Association will take place at the challenging and scenic Gokarna Forest Golf Club in Kathmandu from March 29 to 31.

Madaapa, who finished runner-up at the Faldo Series, said, "It was great that I got a week-long break between Faldo Series and Nepal amateurs. Playing at Gokarna Resort will be way too different than Mission Hills China.

"It gave me ample time to work hard on my driving which was giving me trouble for many days. I spent some quality time with my coach Indarjit Bhalotia and worked hard on my game. Now I am ready to conquer my first Nepal amateur title."

Past Indian winners of the Nepal Amateur Championship include Bengaluru pro Trishul Chinappa and Noida's Samarth Dwivedi, who is also the current leader of IGU amateur order of merit.