By Rahul Banerji
Hitaashee Bakshi, Ankur Chadha and Aadil Bedi fired a gross 13-under 131 to lead on day one of the Ballantine’s Golf Championship Mixed Pro Challenge at the DLF Golf and Country Club on Tuesday.
The first round of the path-breaking 36-hole tournament saw 17-year-old Hitaashee Bakshi make a major contribution to her team total with the day’s best score of 6-under 66 at her home course.
Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, Sunit Chowrasia and Gaurika Bishnoi were in second place with a gross score of 11-under 133.
Third place was occupied by Pranavi Urs, Karandeep Kochhar and Chiragh Kumar with 10-under 134.
In the first-of-its-kind men’s and women’s mixed event in India, all team members must complete every hole. The two best scores out of three on each hole count towards the team score.
Hitaashee, who is in the middle of her 12th Class board exams, bogeyed the first two holes after pulling her approach shots on both occasions.
Pep talk
Bakshi, who has won thrice on the WGAI since turning professional last December, then began turning it around after getting some encouragement from her playing partners Chadha and Bedi.
The pep talk did wonders to Hitaashee’s confidence as she picked up four birdies on the front nine thereafter including three on the trot from the seventh through the ninth.
Bakshi then added four more birdies to her card on the back nine courtesy three conversions from a range of eight to 12 feet and a tap-in on 17.
She also got out of trouble on 12 with a good par save.
Chadha also made a valuable contribution to the leading team’s score with a 69 that featured four birdies and a bogey.
Hitaashee, currently second on the WGAI Order of Merit, said, “I didn’t have a good start but the encouragement from Aadil and Ankur on the third hole helped me relax and play with a more positive frame of mind.
“I was at ease thereafter and that reflected in my game as my ball-striking got better which in turn helped me pick up birdies and get back in the game.
All-round strength
“I feel we all have our strengths and that’s what gives our team a great chance going into the final day.
“While Ankur is very good with his tee shots and Aadil excels in planning, execution and creative thinking on the course, my strength is my short game.
“Playing at my home course also gives me an advantage,” added Bakshi, who played alongside Aadil and Ankur for the first time during the practice round on Monday.
Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Sunit Chowrasia had the two best scores in their team as both shot rounds of 73 to help their team end the day in second place.
Mysore-based 18-year-old Pranavi Urs, one of only two players to shoot an error-free round on day one, was instrumental in her team being placed third.
Pranavi, a four-time winner on the WGAI and currently the Order of Merit leader, carded a 68 making most fairways and greens in round one.
Urs was well supported by Karandeep Kochhar who returned a 69 on Tuesday.
Kartik Sharma, Khalin Joshi and Oviya Reddi were fourth on 9-under 135.
Kartik, playing at his home course, was the other player to post a bogey-free round on Tuesday.
His 68 included an up and down for birdie from the bunker on the fourth and a chip-in for birdie on 10.
The second and final round begins with the first tee-off at 6:50 am on Wednesday. The leader group start at 9:40 am.
Also read: Ballantine’s Mixed Challenge Golf Championship creates a buzz
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