15 yr old Kartik Singh played his final tournament as an amateur
Part of a two-member Indian Golf Union (IGU) team, 15 year old Kartik made it to the round of 16 at the R&A Boys (Under 19) played at County Louth in Ireland in his final tournament as an amateur, having announced his intention of joining the pro ranks in September.
He shot 70-69 in the two-day stroke play qualifier, placing 18th out of 144 players representing 30 nations, with the top 64 advancing to match play knockout rounds.
In the knock out stage, Kartik won two matches before losing 2&1 in the pre-quarterfinals to France’s Alzas.
This year, Kartik was a key member of Asia-Pacific’ 12 member All-Star Men’s team under the captaincy of Rishi Narain as they defeated Europe in UAE for the Ryder Cup style Bonallack Trophy. He also posted two top-10 finishes in South Africa, was 7th at the Royal Junior Championship in Japan and was 10th at the Asia-Pacific Team Championship in Vietnam (Nomura Cup).
Last year, Kartik represented India alongside Zara Anand at the R&A Junior Open, where he finished sixth with rounds of 71-71-74, while Zara tied for 14th at 229. Zara has opted to pursue college golf in the U.S., while Kartik has chosen to turn professional at just 15.
First played in 1921, the R&A Boys’ Amateur is one of junior golf’s most prestigious championships. Former winners include Sir Michael Bonallack, José María Olazábal, Sergio García, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and David Howell. The champion earns exemptions into The Amateur Championship and Final Qualifying for The Open.
Photo – Kartik Singh