Jahanvi Bakshi into early lead at Vizag leg of Hero WPGT

By Rahul Banerji

Jahanvi Bakshi, a four-time winner in 2021, showed glimpses of returning to her best with a 4-under par opening round in the second leg of the Hero WPGT at the East Point Golf Club in Vishakapatnam on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old, who was fourth in the opening leg last week, opened with a birdie and added five more besides dropping one shot to finish the day one up on the field.

Jahanvi could well have gone lower but for some missed chances and leads Ridhima Dilawari (69). Hyderabad amateur Sneha Singh is third on 2-under 70.

Shweta Mansingh (71) was fourth as Seher Atwal, Rhea Purvi Saravanan and Nayanika Sanga carded level par 72s to be placed fourth on a good scoring day.

Modest start

Last week’s winner Pranavi Urs had a modest 75 as she twice had back-to-back bogeys. Pranavi had started the first leg also with a 75, so she would be looking at improving in the next two rounds.

Ridhima, who made a subdued opening to the season, had back-to-back bogeys around the turn but balanced that with five birdies.

Sneha, a three-time winner while still an amateur and third in the Hyderabad opener last week, was level for her first nine holes with two birdies and two bogeys.

She added one bogey and three birdies on her back nine, playing in the same group as Ridhima.

Neha Tripathi, Hitaashee Bakshi and Trimann Saluja were tied for eighth place to complete the top 10.

Round 2 tee times and scores

Tee 1

8:15 am: Vidhatri Urs (A) 76; Gaurika Bishnoi 76; Lakhmehar Pardesi 76

8:25 am: Pranavi Urs 75; Oviya Reddi 74; Hitaashee Bakshi 73;

8:35 am: Trimann Saluja 73; Neha Tripathi 73; Nayanika Sanga 72;

8:45 am: Rhea P. Saravanan 72; Seher Atwal 72; Shweta Mansingh 71

8:55 am: Sneha Singh (A) 70; Ridhima Dilawari 69; Jahanvi Bakshi 68

Tee 10

8:20 am: Asmitha Sathish 76; Saanvi Somu (A); 77 Durga Nittur 77;

8:30 am: Mehar Atwal 78; Jyotsana Singh 78; Saaniya Sharma 79;

8:40 am: Disha Kavery 79; Agrima Manral 80; Ishvari Prasanna 80;

8:50 am: Rhea Jha 81; Riya Yadav 82; Khushi Khanijau 82;

9 am: Smriti Bhargav (A) 84; Geetika Ahuja 85; Suchitra Ramesh 86;

Also read: Pranavi outlasts Gaurika to win Hero WPGT season-opener