Pranavi Urs wins Aamby Valley event in runaway fashion

By Rahul Banerji

Pranavi Urs stormed to her second title of the year leaving the field five shots astern in the fourth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Aamby Valley on Friday.

The Mysore golfer shot a 1-under 71 – one of only two sub-par rounds on the day – as her challengers fell apart in the chase.

Pranavi dropped a shot midway through her front nine but no one in the pack could take advantage as they were battling troubles of their own.

Pranavi, who led Hitaashee Bakshi by a shot overnight matched Durga Nittur’s 71 as she cut down on the errors to return three birdies against two dropped shots.

Ridhima Dilawari, who was third and three shots behind Pranavi at the start of the day, had three birdies against four bogeys for a 73 that gave her second place.

Hitaashee dropped five shots between the second and fifth holes with three bogeys and a double and put herself out of the race.

She ended with a disappointing 78 and third place on 3-over 219.

Good going

For Pranavi, it has been a fine start to the season and it carried her to the top of the Hero Order of Merit.

She overtook Jahanvi Bakshi, who is now second, while the latter’s sister Hitaashee is third. Gaurika Bishnoi and Ridhima Dilawari are fourth and fifth.

After winning the first leg, Pranavi was T-7 in the second leg and T-4 in the third.

She has delivered consistent scores and looks determined to use the base of Hero WPGT Tour to get to the Ladies European Tour.

Last year she tried and failed in the Qualifying School. Recent results on the domestic Tour should give her the confidence to get back and make a place for herself on the LET.

Vani Kapoor, fourth overnight, stayed where she was with a round of 75 and finished on 4-over 220, as Gaurika Bishnoi (75) was fifth.

Durga Nittur (71), Amandeep Drall and Jahanvi Bakshi (75) were tied sixth, while Rhea Purvi Saravanan (75) and amateur Jasmine Shekar (79) completed the top 10.

Also read: Pranavi grabs lead as Hitaashee slips to second at Aamby Valley