Gurugram, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Nihal Chima has made headlines once again by winning the US Kids India (North) title for the second consecutive year. The young golfer from Chandigarh scored an impressive 4-under 68 at the Classic Golf and Country Club in Gurugram on September 12, 2026.
At just nine years old, Chima demonstrated his talent with six birdies, including two on the final holes, and recorded two bogeys, securing a 12-shot victory. His closest competitors, Shivraj Singh and Jamraudh Singh Sidhu, both finished with scores of 80.
Another standout was Dron Singh Dhull, who triumphed in the Boys 12 category with a score of 1-under 71, marking his second consecutive win. Dhull achieved birdies on the first, 14th, and 17th holes, along with an eagle on the 18th, despite recording four bogeys.
Chima has previously showcased his skills at the US Kids Golf World Championship, where he finished as the runner-up after playing three under-par rounds and concluding the tournament at 10-under par. He also placed second at the FCG Callaway World Championship and won the US Kids Golf European Championship in Scotland in the Boys-7 division. Additionally, he secured victory at the FCG International Championship in California in 2025.
In the girls’ category, Avni Aatreya, who won the first leg, is among seven players to achieve consecutive titles. She also recorded the first “hole-in-one” of 2026, making a direct shot from the tee on the par-3 fifth hole, which was 140 yards away. Aatreya added another birdie and six bogeys, ultimately winning the Girls 15-18 category with a score of 4-over.
The most competitive action was seen in the Girls 11-12 category, where the top three players finished under par. Aradhya Bhatnagar, with a score of 69, triumphed in a playoff against Aadiya Kaushal, who also scored 69. The previous leg champion, Hissi Besra, finished just one shot behind with a score of 70.
Starting from the 10th hole, Bhatnagar was once 6-under after 15 holes but ended up at 3-under due to bogeys on the last three holes, leading her to a playoff victory. Aadiya also recorded seven birdies, alongside two bogeys and one double bogey. Hissi began with an eagle-2 on the par-4 first hole and balanced four bogeys with four birdies to finish at 2-under 70.
Seven players achieved consecutive titles in the first two legs: Arjun Aadiya (Boys Under-6), Lakshit A (Boys 7), Nihal Chima (Boys 9), Dron Singh Dhull (Boys 12), Sidhak Handa (Boys 15-18), Priska Sachdeva (Girls 13-14), and Avni Aatreya (Girls 15-18).
Boys and girls aged eight and under played a nine-hole round, while all other categories completed 18 holes. The US Kids Golf India (North) series will continue with legs 3 and 4 in October at the Classic Golf and Country Club in Gurugram.
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