By Rahul Banerji
The Noida Golf Course will remain forever enshrined in Ridhima Dilawari’s memory as the venue for the tour rookie’s maiden professional title in the 17th leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour on Friday.
On a perfect day and making best use of the true conditions offered, Ridhima, who turned pro after the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, hit a level par 72 to total five-over 221 and win by five shots over Gursimar Badwal.
It was only the third start for Ridhima on the domestic Tour. She has also played at the Hero Women’s Indian Open on the Ladies European Tour where she recorded a tied 20th finish.
No mistakes
Ridhima finished second on her professional debut in the 15th leg,and led into the final round in the 16th leg but faltered and finished tied fourth as Tvesa Malik sealed her fourth title of the year. This time there were no such hiccups.
Going into the final round at the Noida Golf Course on Friday, Ridhima led Tvesa by one shot. She opened with five pars, dropped a shot but recovered immediately with her second birdie.
Another dropped shot saw her turn in one-over by which time Tvesa had fallen three shots behind.
On the back nine Ridhima was consistent, playing eight holes to par and picking up one birdie. By then she was far ahead of the field and showed steady nerves to keep the gap constant.
Tough time
Tvesa had a difficult time on her back nine in the same group, recording a six-over 42 that included a triple bogey and three bogeys to finished seventh.
Gursimar Badwal played her best round of the week with a 72 and climbed to second, while Millie Saroha had one of her better weeks of the year despite a 77 in the final round, and was tied third with Siddhi Kapoor (77).
Neha Tripathi (74) and Amandeep Drall (76) were T5 while Saaniya Sharma (76) and Afshan Fatima (78) were eighth and ninth.
Smriti Meha, who started the week with a fine round of 72, fell back over the next two days to finish tenth.
Tvesa with Rs.15,89,200 maintains her top spot on the Hero Order of Merit, while Amandeep Drall with Rs.11,56,000 is second and Neha third on Rs.10,48,200.
The 18th and final leg of the season will be held from December 11 to 14 at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.
Also read: The fatal step forward in golf: A Diwali revisit
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