Amandeep Drall holds sole HWIO lead going into final day

By Rahul Banerji

With three Indians in the top five, there is every chance of a first home win since 2016 at the Hero Women’s Indian Open on Sunday.

Patiala-born Amandeep Drall sank a final-hole birdie to hold the sole lead on 10-under 206 having played three days of nerveless golf on DLF’s tricky Gary Player layout.

Former champion Aditi Ashok moved a step closer to the top on eight-under 210, while Gaurika Bishnoi has consistently maintained her challenge over the first three days of the $000,000 tournament.

The two were fourth and fifth respectively after Saturday’s run.

On Moving Day, the one making the biggest charge though was 26-year-old Olivia Cowan with a seven-under-par 65 that carried her into a share of second place on nine-under 207.

Alongside the German was 2011 winner Caroline Hedwall of Sweden who brought in a four-under 68 on the day.

Crucial hole

Ashok bogeyed her opening hole and would drop a further two shots even before making the turn, but an eagle on nine – where she drove the green and sank a 51-foot putt – was crucial.

Two early birdies and steady golf thereafter made sure her challenge remained on track and the LPGA regular is well placed to pounce in the event of the top three faltering on the final day.

 “I have not had the putts going for me, but I did get an eagle, when I drove the green and holed a 50-footer, probably my longest putt this season,” Aditi would say later.

But the focus remained on the 30-year-old Drall, who followed rounds of 67 and 72 with another 67 on Saturday.

“With the start I had on the first day and a low, steady round on the second day, I was all geared up to play some good shots,” Drall said later.

“The front nine was very scorable because they moved a couple of tees and a couple of pins were accessible so you could have made birdies and that’s what I did today.”

Drall missed a couple of medium putts early in her round before going on a tear, sinking birdies on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes.

Drall then bookended her back nine with birdies, on 10 and 18, the second in particular being the critical one as it gave her the sole lead.

Back in play

Two holes earlier, she had moved into a tie at the top when Hedwall successively bogeyed 10 and 11 for a two-shot swing.

“On the back nine, I didn’t go really aggressive. I wanted to play it one shot at a time and put the ball in play and that’s exactly what I did,” Amandeep said.

“Got two birdies, and the one on the last hole I put it really close from where I could hit a firm putt. I wanted to get into double digits so I went for the putt.”

For her part, Cowan (71-71-65) was pleased with the progress made since teeing it up on Thursday.

“I’ve played well both days of the week really, and so I felt quite comfortable with my game,” the 26-year-old said after her round.

“Obviously it is a difficult course, so you never really know what’s going to happen.

“I mean, a big number can be around the corner at any point, so you just kind of have to stick to what you’ve been doing and be patient out there and just see shot by shot.”

Added Hedwall, “I played really well today, Hit it fairly close and made the putts, didn’t really miss anything.

“I may have missed out on a couple of putts but this is a tough course. The grain, I’m not used to playing this type of greens so I think it was quite all right, yeah.

“The back nine finish played tough. I had a couple of good breaks on the front nine and then I had a couple of bad breaks on the back nine and that’s what made the difference today.”

Need for patience

Cowan, who turned pro seven years ago and is yet to register her maiden win, was confident of a strong performance on Sunday.

“I’m playing well. So, I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing the last three days and just stay patient and just play good golf.

“I read the greens quite good today. I’ve got a good stroke on it and  I’ve given myself a lot of opportunities by hitting it close.”

Asked whether holding the lead at an international event and that too the national open would create pressure, Drall said with a smile, I wasn’t looking at the leader-board or the numbers.

“Today I just wanted to play my game and go as low as I could before the final round tomorrow.

“I’m not going to think too much about being in the lead, just play it like a normal day. If it’s meant to happen, it (the win) will happen.

Also read: Gaurika, Amandeep in four-way tie for lead at HWIO 2022