Anika back on Cactus trail with pro debutant Nishtha Madan

By Rahul Banerji

Talented amateur Anika Varma returned to the ongoing Cactus Tour in the western United States in Scottsdale, Arizona, with professional debutant Nishtha Madan for company this time.

Nishtha, younger sister of Indian circuit regular Astha, joined Anika on the 19^th active event on the Cactus Tour (and 20^th on all), which kept going through the depths of the Covid-19 lockdown at the Troon North Golf Club.

The Cactus Tour has seen a stream of visiting LPGA and LET regulars with Mina Harigae winning the 18^th leg at Fountain Hills, Arizona and Carlota Ciganda topping the next event, the Dallas Cup Series, at Mesa, last week.

Both have won twice on the Cactus Tour, Mina taking the 17^th and 18^th legs and Carlota winning the seventh and 19^th.

Impressive start

The younger Madan made an impressive start to her professional career with a 1-under round of 71 at the Troon North Pinnacle course, while Anika brought in a 4-over 78 on the opening day.

Both Nishtha and Anika train with coach Noah Montgomery, who also works with European Tour regular and nine-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar.

Nishtha had a mixed round on Monday with five birdies against four dropped shots. She had a birdie and bogey each on the front nine before picking up four strokes against a further three dropped shots.

Up and down

The recent Sacramento University graduate had an eventful second nine but consecutive birdies on the final two holes helped her bring in a 71, four shots behind leader amateur Chayse Gomez (5-under 67).

Previous Cactus Tour double winner Sophia Popov (14^th and 16^th legs) from Germany is a shot behind with three amateurs between herself and Nishtha, who also has LET regular Cheyenne Woods for company in tied fifth place.

Anika, now based in Roseville, California, had a triple bogey and a bogey in her final four holes to thank for her 4-over card.

She made the turn in 1-over 37 and managed to pull herself up with a birdie on the 17^th hole despite the triple on 15, but dropped a further shot on the last hole.

In March and early April, the 16-year-old Anika played five events on the Cactus Tour with a tied second as her best finish besides two other top 10s.

For her part, Nishtha, 21, has been briefly ranked as the top Indian amateur, and is winner of a collegiate title during her varsity stint.

Also read: Anika Varma rounds off ‘Arizona Swing’ on Cactus Tour with solid results