Gaurika storms to victory at JWGC leg of Hero WPG Tour

Gaurika Bishnoi with her winner’s cheque and trophy at the JWGC in Mysore on Saturday. Image courtesy WGAI.

By Rahul Banerji

Gaurika Bishnoi unleashed a hat-trick of birdies in the last three holes to win the seventh leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club in Mysore on Saturday.

The DLF golfer returned the week’s best round of 4 under par 66 to total 1 under 209 and win by three strokes from overnight leader Khushi Khanijau (212) of Jaipur.

Gaurika, who was tied third after the second round and trailing by two shots at the start of the day saw Khushi crack under pressure at the end, giving away two shots in the final three holes to end with a 1 over 71.

It was Gaurika’s first win of the 2024 season besides her two titles 2023, the WGAI said.

Amateur Mannat Brar had a superb final 3 under 67 that had six birdies including four on the back nine and three bogeys overall for a 4 over 214 total and a share of third place.

Debutant pro Vidhatri Urs, who led on the first day shot a 71 to finish alongside Mannat.

Cruise control

At the end of the front nine on Saturday, Khushi seemed the likely winner as she had stretched her overnight lead from two to four shots. Gaurika turned in even par, while Khushi with birdies on the seventh and ninth was 2-under.

Then things began to change. A bogey by Khushi on 11 and birdie by Gaurika on 15 reduced the gap from four to two.

Then came the big turnaround. Gaurika’s experience proved crucial as she also birdied 16 and 17 while Khushi dropped shots on both holes. That four-shot swing in Gaurika’s favour in a matter of just two holes changed the result.

From two behind Gaurika was now two ahead. She added another birdie on 18 and Khushi just about managed a par to settle for the runners-up cheque.

Jasmine Shekar, looking for her maiden win, started the day one behind the leader but could not mount a strong enough challenge on the day. Jasmine, who has finished runner-up several times, was 1-under for the front nine but four dropped shots saw her return a 73 and in fifth place.

Strong finish

Astha Madan (73) was sixth while amateur Saanvi Somu (70) was seventh, with one of the only three with cards of par or better for the final day.

Shweta Mansingh (72), Ananya Garg (73), Rhea Purvi Saravanan (74), Amandeep Drall (74) and new pro Anvitha Narender (75) were tied for eighth on 11-over 221.

Last year’s Hero Order of Merit winner Sneha Singh was 13^th after a final round of 74.

In the season’s standings, Hitaashee Bakshi stays on top despite playing in Singapore this week.

Amandeep is now second with Khushi third. Sneha and Jasmine Shekar are fourth and fifth respectively, while Gaurika, who has played only three events in the seven held so far, is sixth.

The eighth leg of the Tour, will be held at the Bangalore Golf Club from June 18 to 20 with a practice round on Monday.

Also read: Khushi Khanijau grabs Hero WPGT seventh leg day two lead