Hitaashee wins sixth leg of Hero WPGT with 12-under display

By Rahul Banerji

Hitaashee Bakshi became the second player to win multiple titles this season as she claimed the sixth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Golden Greens course on Friday.

Following her brilliant second round 65, Hitaashee added a solid 3-under 69 to beat her sister Jahanvi by a comfortable four-shot margin.

Jahanvi produced the day’s best round with a bogey-free 6-under 66 that included three successive birdies at the end but was unable to chase Hitaashee down.

Hitaashee, who also won the third leg, aggregated 12-under 204, the lowest winning total this year. Jahanvi was second on 8-under 208.

Jahanvi was the top pro in the second leg but was overall second to amateur Sneha Singh.

While the Bakshi sisters finished 1-2, Gaurika Bishnoi, who set the trend for low scoring this week with her 65 on the first day, faltered in the final round with a 74.

Low totals

Gaurika was third on 6-under 210, in a tournament where seven players finished under par and another two were par for the week. In all, the top 10 were par or better for the week.

Hitaashee, who led Gaurika by one shot after two rounds, had two early birdies while Gaurika dropped shots over the outbound nine to fall way behind.

On the back nine, Hitaashee birdied thrice more but also dropped two shots but the cushion to the pack was more than enough.

Gaurika, despite one birdie and no bogeys on the back nine, was unable to make up lost ground while Jahanvi, who was seven shots behind her sister after two rounds, was left four behind despite the 66.

Heena Kang (70) finished as top amateur, Ridhima Dilawari (68) and Pranavi Urs (71) were tied for fourth on 3-under 213.

Afshan Fatima (69) was seventh, while Neha Tripathi (73), with an eagle and a double bogey, was eighth.

Shewta Mansingh (71) and Durga Nittur (76) were tied ninth on level par 216.

Pranavi Urs continued to lead the Hero Order of Merit but now has Hitaashee less than Rs. 26,000 behind her.

Both have played all six events this season and won twice each. Jahanvi is third, while Gaurika and Ridhima are fourth and fifth.

Also read: Hitaashee Bakshi goes 7-under to grab Golden Greens lead