Gaurika finishes in style to win 7th leg of Hero WPG Tour

By Rahul Banerji

Steady golf from Gaurika Bishnoi, who started the final round four shots behind overnight leader Gursimar Badwal, carried her to a fine win at the Clover Greens in Hosur near Bangalore on Friday.

Bishnoi (8-under 208) had six birdies against one dropped shot on her way to a second title of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour season. She was three shots clear of amateur Pranavi Urs, who registered the second 66 of the tournament.

Pranavi, who began the week with a 76, recovered well over the final two days with 69-66 for a fine performance.

Gursimar Badwal, who had played well on the first two days, had a rough final round with just one birdie. She also had two bogeys, but what put her out of contention was a triple bogey eight on the Par-5 14th. She finished in a tie for third alongside Amandeep Drall (70) and Tvesa Malik (68).

Late recovery

Ridhima Dilawari, who seemed out of sorts in the first two rounds when she shot 73-74, finally found form, though a little late and the day’s 68 will help her confidence for upcoming events. She was sixth on 1-under 215, as six players finished the week with under par totals, indicating a growing depth in Indian women’s golf.

There were two 66s and a 67 in the 15 under-par rounds during the week.

Gaurika had an early birdie before her only bogey of the day. Thereafter she was flawless, with two further birdies to turn in 2-under 35. On the back nine, after four pars, she picked up three shots for a final card of 67.

The upcoming Pranavi, who has earned a golf scholarship in the Bahamas, was also 2-under for the front nine till the 12th with four birdies against two bogeys. Over the last five holes, she had a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th to the 16th holes and another on the 18th for a 4-under 31 and a total of 66, the second time this score was recorded this week.

The earlier 66 came from Gursimar on the second day.

Amandeep had a rough front nine with two bogeys but four birdies on the back nine against no bogeys saw her card 70 and finish in a tie for third.

Clean sheet

Gaurika and Amandeep, winner of the previous two events at Clover Greens, were the only players to play all three rounds under par.

Astha Madan (72) was seventh at 1-over 217, while amateur Asmitha Sathish (72) and Ananya Datar (72) were tied eighth. Neha Tripathi (72) and Millie Saroha (75) were tied 10th.

There were 29 starters, of which 28 finished. This was the largest field in a domestic WGAI event ever, which carried a record Rs.10 lakh purse.

Gaurika also moved to the top of the Hero WPGT Order of Merit with two wins in six starts and total earnings of Rs.6,12,800. She went past Neha (Rs. 5,56,800) and Gursimar (Rs.5,20,133). The fourth with over Rs.5 lakhs earned is Amandeep Drall (Rs.5,11,333).

Also read: Three-way tie for Clover Greens lead; home hero wins seniors event