Three-way tie for lead

Seasoned amateur Gagan Verma along with youngsters I.L. Alaap and Arjun Chandnani with a 1-over 73 shared the lead on the opening day of the 11th Delhi NCR Cup in trying conditions at the Delhi Golf Club on Tuesday.

Jaibir Singh was fourth at 2-over 74 while as many as six players — Anant Ahlawat, Yuvraj Sandhu, Viren Thapar, Shubham Narian, Manav Bais and Tapendra Ghai — were tied for fifth at 3-over 75.

After a good start, Verma had bogeys on the second and third holes before his first birdie on the par-4 fourth. Chandnani made the turn at level par 36 before two bogeys and a birdie marked his round. Amongst the international players, Stephen Machin from the Royal Troon Golf Club, Scotland was the best with a total of 76.