By Rahul Banerji
Queen Sirikit Cup winner Avani Prashanth has been invited to the inaugural $100,000 TrustGolf Singapore Ladies Masters which tees off later this week.
The two-time national champion has also been selected to the Asia-Pacific team for the Patsy Hankin Trophy, which pits the top 12 amateurs from the region against their European counterparts in a Ryder Cup-style matchplay event.
Joining Avani at Laguna National Golf Resort are 2022 Hero WPG Tour toppers in 2022, Pranavi Urs and Seher Atwal, who have been dividing their time between feeder tours in Europe and the US.
They are part of a strong 128-strong field including regional and Chinese golfers on the testing course that has hosted numerous Asian Tour and other pro tournaments.
The TrustGolf Singapore Ladies Masters, sanctioned by the China LPGA Tour, will be played from July 6 to 8. LLO Sports founder Lynn Yeo, who is also behind the US Kids Golf Asia initiative, is the moving force behind the event.
The China LPGA Tour, like the LPGA, Japan LPGA, Korean LPGA, LET, Epson Tour, and LET Access Series, offers world rankings points that determine Rolex Rankings and eligibility for the Olympics and the majors.
Signal honour
Meanwhile, the 16-year-old Avani who recently played the Amundi German Masters though still an amateur, is the first Indian to be selected for the Hankins Trophy, which will be played in La Manga, Spain, from August 3 to 5.
This tournament brings together the cream of amateur talent on either side and Avani’s inclusion reflects her standing as one of the top golfers in the region.
In February this year, the Bangalore golfer – currently 79th in the world amateur rankings –recorded a 10-shot win in the individual section of the Queen Sirikit Cup at the Asia Pacific Amateur Team Championship at Manila.
India also finished second in the team event where Avani was joined by Vidhatri Urs, a recent winner on the Hero WPGT, and Nishna Patel.
With wins at Portugal in 2016 and Qatar in 2018, the Asia-Pacific team will be hoping to continue their winning ways in Spain.
Major champions Yuka Saso of Japan and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, as well as Thai Atthaya Thitikul, who rose to number one in the Rolex Women’s World Ranking last year, were all part of the 2018 team.
Asian Games 1982 gold medal team member Rishi Narain will be non-playing captain for the parallel men’s Bonallack Trophy at La Manga.
Also read: Avani gives India maiden Queen Sirikit Cup win, with a record
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