Pune, Dec 29 : Seventeen-year-old Khalin Joshi sank six birdies and put himself on top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Lalit Suri All-India Junior Golf Championship at the par-71 Poona Club Golf Course here Tuesday.

The Bangalore boy returned a card of two-under 69, which included a back-nine of five-under 31, to put himself one in front of Kapurthala's Ashbeer Saini, who returned a card one-under 70.

In third place, four shots back, are Ankur Chadha and Manu Gandas at three-over 74 for the tournament. Last week's winner Chikkarangappa returned a disappointing card of six-over 77, to be in eighth place.

Manu Gandas, who plays at the DLF Golf and Country Club, took the lead in category B (U-15) with a round of three-over 74. Rohan Sharma and Honey Baisoya are in second place, three behind the leader at six-over 77. Feroz Garewal holds the lead in category C
(U-12) with the Chandigarh lad carding a round of four-over 75, five better than Vidit Singh in second place.

Category D (U-10) players will tee off Wednesday and will compete for the title over three rounds. Category B (U-15) players are also in contention for the overall title but category C (U-12) and category D players compete only within their respective categories as they play from different tees. (IANS)