A combo image of Hitaashee Bakshi (left) and Mahreen Bhatia on event eve in Singapore.
By Rahul Banerji
Three Indians, one an amateur, will tee off at the second edition of the 54-hole $100,000 Singapore Ladies Masters (SLM) at the Laguna Golf Resort on Friday.
They include domestic pro circuit merit leader Hitaashee Bakshi, Seher Atwal, and amateur Mahreen Bhatia, who has won medals at US Kids European and World Championship events and the Faldo Series.
Hitaashee, 19, who won on the local tour thrice in 2022 and had a difficult 2023 because of injury, leads the Hero WPGT rankings.
She also holds full status on the Thailand LPGA, where she won the Qualifying School, and has also played on the Taiwan LPGA.
Good going
In four starts outside India, the DLF Academy trainee has finished in the top 20 each time.
Mahreen, 16, received a spot in Singapore following a stellar performance at US Kids Golf India, with whom Lyn Yeo, organiser of the SLM and founder of LLD Sports, has an arrangement.
On event eve, Hitaashee said, “I lost a lot of time in 2023 due to injuries and now that I am fit and playing well, I want to try and play as much as I can.
“I got an invite here and before that, I played three events on the Thai LPGA, where I won the Q-School. I also played in a Taiwan LPGA event which was held in the Philippines.”
“It is tough, but I am willing to work my way up. Laguna is a fantastic course. I have played it in the past as an amateur and I love the track.
Slick greens
“The greens are amazing, nice and quick,” said Hitaashee, who said that the money she makes in India is used to play in international events.
Mahreen is playing alongside professionals outside India for the first time. “It is a great opportunity for me, and I have a lot of golf coming up in the next few months. I am looking forward to it,” she said.
Singapore’s Shannon Tan won the inaugural SLM edition in 2023, turned pro six months later and won on the Ladies European Tour, where she is now a regular.
Said Yeo, “We are encouraged by Indian participation at the Singapore Ladies Masters last year and once again this time.
“We would love to have more Indians in it and at the China LPG Q-Series, a combined event for amateurs and pros where young male amateurs are also allowed. This helps players improve their world rankings for other events.
“It has always been our dream to produce champions. I managed to fulfil that last year with Shannon winning last year and she is on the LET and is going to the Olympics.
“Who knows, where this year’s winner will go,” added Yeo.
Also read: Hitaashee, Seher and Mahreen to play Singapore Ladies Masters
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