Hitaashee takes three-shot lead over Ananya at Tolly leg of WPGT

By Rahul Banerji

Hitaashee Bakshi’s four birdies in a five-hole stretch midway through the second round gave her a three-shot lead in the third leg of the Hero WPGT event in Kolkata on Thursday;

The Gurgaon player led second-placed Ananya Garg (68) by three shots at the Tollygunge Club, the WGAI said.

Hitaashee, starting in the final group, had a bogey-bogey start, but then a series of birdies saw her roar into contention before picking up one more shot to close on 2 under 68 for a total of 139.

Ananya, looking for a maiden win on the tour made up for her opening round of 74 with four birdies against two bogeys. She is now 2-over for 36 holes on 142 alongside Seher Atwal (71-71).

Seher could have had a better finish but for a bogey finish after an earlier double bogey. She had three birdies during the day.

Another stumble

Ridhima Dilawari (69), amateur Anaahat Bindra (71) and Gauri Karhade (73) were in a tie for fifth place on 4-over 144, while Amandeep Drall, who led after an early birdie slipped back into eighth place.

Playing in the lead group, Amandeep birdied the second as her playing partners, Hitaashee and Khushi started bogey-bogey.

She then dropped three shots in a row then had two more bogeys and a double against just one birdie for a round of 76.

Karishma Govind (75) and overnight leader Khushi (80) were tied for ninth place, while Sneha Singh (72), winner of the last event, was T11 with Kriti Chowhan (72).

The cut was applied at 157 and 20 players made it to the final round.

Scores and round 3 tee times

8 am: Jyotsana Singh 157; Asmitha Sathish 157

8:10 am: Anisha Agarwalla 155; Riya Yadav 154; Shweta Mansingh 152

8:20 am: Ananya Datar 151; Rhea Jha 151; Yaalisai Verma 151

8:30 am: Kriti Chowhan 150; Sneha Singh 150; Khushi Khanijau 149

8:45 am: Karishma Govind 149; Amandeep Drall 146; Gauri Karhade 144

8:55 am: Anaahat Bindra (A) 144; Ridhima Dilawari 144; Jasmine Shekar 143

9:05 am: Seher Atwal 142; Ananya Garg 142; Hitaashee Bakshi 139

Also read: Late blip costs Amandeep, Khushi leads Tolly Hero WPGT leg