Nihal Cheema, the nine-year-old prodigy from Chandigarh, claimed his second consecutive title at the US Kids Golf India (North) Series Leg 2, carding a dominant 4-under 68 in the Boys' 9 section at the Classic Golf and Country Club, Gurugram, on 11 September 2026. His winning margin of 12 shots underscored a performance that was in a class of its own on the day.

Cheema's Commanding Round

Coached by Jesse Grewal and mentored at times by Indian tour professional Gaganjeet Bhullar, Cheema fired six birdies — including back-to-back birdies on his final two holes — against two bogeys. His nearest rivals, Shivraj Singh and Jamraudh Singh Sidhu, finished tied at 80, a full 12 strokes adrift. Cheema has reportedly been playing golf since the age of two, and his competitive record already reads like that of a seasoned amateur.

He was the runner-up at the 2026 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst No. 1, finishing 10-under par across three under-par rounds. He also finished second at the 2026 FCG Callaway World Championship, won the 2024 U.S. Kids Golf European Championship in Scotland (in the Boys-7 division), and claimed the FCG International Championship 2025 in California.

Avni Atreya's Historic Hole-in-One

Avni Atreya etched her name in the tournament's records by registering the first hole-in-one of 2026 at the event. She holed out from the tee on the Par-3 fifth hole from 140 yards. Despite finishing at 4-over par, her round — featuring one more birdie alongside six bogeys — was enough to win the Girls 15-18 section, making her one of seven players to have won back-to-back titles across the first two legs of the series.

Thrilling Girls 11-12 Play-off

The most competitive battle of the day unfolded in the Girls 11-12 section, where the top three players all finished under par. Aaradhya Bhatnagar and Aadya Kaushal both carded 69 to force a play-off, which Bhatnagar won. Aaradhya had seven birdies, including a remarkable four-in-a-row streak from the 11th to the 14th holes, but three closing bogeys pulled her back to 3-under.

Aadya also contributed seven birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey. First-leg winner Hissi Besra, who opened with an eagle two on the Par-4 first and added four more birdies against four bogeys, finished just one shot back at 2-under 70.

Other Standout Performances

Drona Singh Dhull made it two wins from two in the Boys 12 section with a 1-under 71 — his second successive under-par effort. He recorded three birdies on the 1st, 14th, and 17th holes and an eagle on the 18th, though four bogeys kept his card from being cleaner. Boys and girls aged up to eight played nine-hole rounds, while all other age groups contested full 18-hole rounds.

Seven players have now won back-to-back titles in Legs 1 and 2: Arjun Adiya (Boys Under 6), Lakshith A (Boys 7), Nihal Cheema (Boys 9), Drona Singh Dhull (Boys 12), Sidhak Handa (Boys 15-18), Prisca Sachdeva (Girls 13-14), and Avni Atreya (Girls 15-18).

What's Next for the Series

The US Kids Golf India (North) Series returns to the Classic Golf and Country Club, Gurugram in October 2026 for Legs 3 and 4, where the question of who can continue their winning streaks — and whether Cheema can make it three in a row — will add extra competitive edge.