Final rounds of Queen Sirikit Cup trials under way at NGC

By Rahul Banerji

Asmitha Satish led the way after round four of the ongoing trials to pick the India team to the Queen Sirikit Cup amateur women’s championship at the Noida Golf Course on Thursday.

Five shots behind Asmitha’s total of 307 was Vidhatri Urs on 312, while national women’s champion Sneha Singh was third on a four-day aggregate of 314.

With one withdrawal, six contenders are in the field at the trials from where the top two are picked automatically and a third selection is made at the discretion of the Indian Golf Union.

Asmitha has been in the running right from the start as her scores of 78, 78, 74 and 77 indicate and which puts her in good position for one of the direct berths.

Steady sequence

Vidhatri has been steady with a 77, 79, 79, 77 sequence while Sneha, who was in the joint lead with Asmitha after the first three rounds of the trials at the Jaypee Greens had an off day on Thursday, her scores reading 81, 74, 75 and 86.

The three others behind them are Chirangada Singh, Faldo Asia Series India leg topper Hunar Mittal and Rishika Muralidhar, all on four-day totals of 321.

Amandeep in the van

Meanwhle, Amandeep Drall was the best-placed Indian at the ongoing five-day Ladies European School Qualifying School on the North and South Courses at La Manga Club in Spain after two rounds.

Amandeep was tied 54^th along with 13 others on 5-over par 149 following rounds of 72 on the North Course and a 77 on the South Course on Thursday.

Vani Kapoor was next best in shared 68^th place one shot behind with rounds of 75 and 75 while Sharmila Nicollet stood tied 79^th on 7-over par 151 (77, 74).

Players had to overcome the distraction of Storm Gloria ahead of the opening day that ravaged the La Manga resort near Cartagena with 150 trees falling to the gale force winds.

According to the LET website, of the 120 players competing at the Final Stage of Qualifying School, the top five will be eligible for LET Membership in the top category.

Players from sixth to 20th place will be eligible for membership in Category 8a. Players who have made the 72-hole cut to the leading 60 and ties and finished in position 21st and below, will be ranked according to score and be eligible for membership in Category 9b.

Players that fail to make the cut after 72 holes, will be eligible for LET membership in a lower category still and ranked in final score order.

Also read: Ridhima seals CLPGA card; Amandeep, Sharmila close in on LET berths