Jaitha holds a one-stoke lead after 18 holes of the 72 hole strokeplay. The four players on 1-over 71 are Harmit Kahlon, Sheeraz Kalra, Manav Das and Sandeep Syal. Kahlon hit four birdies, including three on par-5s and one on the par-3 eighth.

The well built junior Sandeep Syal, who had shot a 2-under 68 in the Western India juniors, blasted an eagle on the 18th and there other birdies for a fine start on his campaign.

The leading positions (after 18 holes, par-70): Amish Jaitha (Pune) 70, Harmeet Kahlon (Chandigarh), Sandeep Syal (Chennai), Sheeraz Kalra (Lucknow), Manav Das (Ambala) 71, Digvijay Singh (Meerut), Gagan Verma (Delhi) 74, Ratan Bali (Mumbai), Amitya Chand (Delhi), Jaideep Patwardhan (Pune) 75.