Sneha, Avani out to keep the heat up on the pros at Noida

By Rahul Banerji

Sneha Singh and Jahanvi Bakshi, the last two winners on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour, are back to battle for honours at the Noida Golf Course from Wednesday.

In the eighth leg at Golden Greens last week, Sneha emerged winner as amateurs held sway though Jahanvi was tied for fourth place.

DLF Golf Academy trainee Jahanvi won the seventh leg on her home course.

The Tour resumed a fortnight ago and in the last two starts, amateurs have matched the professionals shot for shot.

When Jahanvi won at DLF, amateur Avani Prashanth was second while Sneha led till the last three holes.

Last week Avani was fourth again behind Hyderabad teenager Sneha.

Consistent pressure

Another amateur who has caught the eye is Vidhatri Urs who was tied seventh last week.

Siddhi Kapoor was the top pro in the eighth leg even though she was third overall. This week she will attempt to take the win herself.

The Women’s Golf Association of India has been consistent in having six amateurs each week to give them more matchplay and also groom them as they get into the professional circuit.

Jahanvi will tee off in the opening three-ball alongside amateur Smriti Bhargava and the seasoned Neha Tripathi.

Sneha has been grouped with Oviya Reddi and Ishvari Prasanna.

Jahanvi’s sister Hitaashee is in the three-ball with Saaniya Sharma and Khushi Khanijau.

First round tee times

8:30: am: Smriti Bhargav (A); Neha Tripathi; Jahanvi Bakshi

8:40 am: Sneha Singh (A); Oviya Reddi; Ishvari Prasanna

8:50 am: Saaniya Sharma; Khushi Khanijau; Hitaashee Bakshi

9 am: Vidhatri Urs (A); Jyotsana Singh; Geetika Ahuja

9:15 am: Mehar Atwal; Rhea Jha; Gauri Karhade

9:25 am: Disha Kavery; Khushi; Trimann; Saluja

9:35 am: Anousha Tripathi; Rhea P. Saravanan; Suchitra Ramesh

9:45 am: Ananya Datar; Shagun Narain; Rishika Muralidhar (A)

10 am: Anisha Agarwalla; Afshan Fatima; Nishna Patel (A)

10:10 am: Lakhmehar Pardesi; Avani Prashanth (A); Marshneil Prasad

10:20 am: Shweta Mansingh; Seher Atwal; Siddhi Kapoor

Also read: Sneha Singh sweeps to third professional title as an amateur