Neha completes wire-to-wire run at RCGC leg of Hero WPGT

By Rahul Banerji

On a Royal Calcutta Golf Club course that tested the field to the last, Neha Tripathi turned in another steady round to win the Hero WPGT event in style on Friday.

With 1 over 73 in her final round, Neha (218) won by a massive nine shots from Tvesa Malik (76) to become the first to win more than two times on the tour, and also close in on the Order of Merit top spot.

The result left Neha Rs. 27,792 short of current leader Sneha Singh (76) who finished seventh on 16-over 232, the WGAI said.

Taking a share of third place behind Neha and Tvesa was amateur Anaahat Bindra (73) alongside Ridhima Dilawari (79), who had a nightmarish final round.

Shweta Mansingh (78) was fifth, Khushi Khanijau (78) was sixth and Sneha seventh. Jasmine Shekar (77), Ananya Datar (77) and Yaalisai Verma (78) were tied for eighth to complete the top 10.

Untouchable lead

Neha who shot 72-73 in the first two rounds to take a four-shot lead into the final round, had one birdie on the fourth hole and bogeys on fife and 15 to more than double her 36-hole lead.

Tvesa had two bogeys and a double bogey and no birdies in her 76 as she finished second but was disappointed with her scoring this week. She had rounds of 74-77-76 and on 11-over 227 was nine behind the winner.

Anaahat was one of only four players to have two birdies in her round, picking up shots on holes eight and 15, while bogeying the 10th.

At 1-under through 16 holes she looked like becoming the only player to card a sub-par round this week before she dropped shots on the final two holes on a track that gave nothing to the players.

Ridhima had a rough day with six bogeys and a double and just one birdie on 14 in her 79 despite which she was tied third alongside Anaahat.

It was yet another tough day for scoring with only Anaahat, Ananya Datar (77), Jyotsana Singh (79) and Rhea Jha (81) getting more than one birdie. However, barring Anaahat, all others also gave away plenty of bogeys and doubles.

On the Money list, Sneha and Neha are one and two while Seher Atwal, Tvesa and Khushi occupy the next three places.

The 16^th and final leg of the 2023 season will be held at the TNGF, Chennai from November 22 to 24.

Also read: Neha extends lead to four shots in RCGC leg of Hero WPGT