Indian teenager chips away at her game in western US’ Cactus Tour

Anika Varma
Anika Varma has been mixing it up with some big names on the Cactus Tour in the western United States. Image courtesy LET.

By Rahul Banerji

Teenager Anika Varma has been grinding away at her golf, the latest result being a 1-under 215 at the Cactus Tour’s Legacy Vegas event in Nevada that gave her a solid 12th place finish.

It was the 16-year-old amateur’s third sub-par aggregate in nine starts on the Cactus Tour so far, and next up is the Stallion Mountain Vegas tournament also in Henderson, Nevada, next week,

Finishing first and second at this week’s Legacy Vegas tournament were amateurs Gabriela Rufels of Ausralia at 13-under 203 and Briana Chacon on 11-under 205 in a field of 46.

Solid platform

Given such competition, besides playing alongside the likes of three time winners Sophia Popov and Mina Harigae, and also Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Anika has been working away at her game.

Tweeted coach Noah Montgomery, “@anikavarma05, shoots her third under-par total score @thelegacygolf event on @THECACTUSTOUR, with 72-71-72 for a total score of 1-under 215.

“Her previous best scores – “@ApacheCreekGC – 75-66-73 = 2-under 214; @MoonValleyCC – 73-72-70 = 1-under 215”

Based in California, the teenager has brought in a series of solid finishes in most of her outings on the Cactus Tour. In all, Anika has three top-10s including a shared second place back in March.

The teenager from Noida, now a resident of Roseville where she trains with Montgomery, has held her own in field that have at times included regulars from the Ladies PGA and the Ladies European Tour like Harigae. Ciganda, Cheyenne Woods and others.

Anika’s Cactus Tour finishes so far

Moon Valley CC in Phoenix, March 18-20 T13 1 under 215

Sundance GC in Buckeye, March 25-27 T2 8 over 222

Sun City CC in Sun City March 31-April 2 T9, 6 over 222

Apache Creek in Apache Junction, April 8-10 T7 under 214

Union Hills CC in Sun City, April 13-15, T11 8 over 224

Troon North Pinnacle in Scottsdale, May 25-27, T23 13 over 229 (where Nishtha Madan made her pro debut with 17th place finish).

Orange Tree GC in Scottsdale, June 9-11, 12th place level par 220

Talking Stick North in Scottsdale, June 14-17, T21 8 over 224

Legacy Golf Club in Henserson (Nevada) June 24-26 12th place 1-under 215

Also read: Anika back on Cactus trail with pro debutant Nishtha Madan


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