Ridhima puts in a late run to clinch Panchkula Hero WPGT title

By Rahul Banerji

Ridhima Dilawari overturned a one-shot deficit to run away with the title in the 14^th Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour leg in Panchkula on Friday.

Starting the final day one behind overnight leader Afshan Fatima, Ridhima fired a sizzling bogey-free six-under 66 to win by a massive five shots.

Ridhima’s stunning final round had three birdies on either side of the course and took her total to 5-under 211 as Afshan could only manage a 216 aggregate with a level par 72 on the day.

Ridhima became the third player after Pranavi Urs (5) and Hitaashee Bakshi (2) to win more than once this season, adding to the title she had picked up in the eighth leg in Bangalore (KGA).

In the fourth leg at Aamby Valley, Ridhima finished as the runner-up.

For Afshan, who dropped three shots in two holes after the turn, it was the best result of the season, but she stays winless since in 2018.

Bouncing back

The other player to excel on the final day was Gaurika Bishnoi, who bounced back from her second-round 78 with a four-under 68.

It was 10 shots better than the effort on day two and carried Gaurika to a third-place finish on two over 218.

Ridhima and Afshan began the final round with birdies. Afshan added a second one quickly to stretch her lead to two shots

Ridhima hit back with two quick birdies even as Afshan dropped a shot and then parred the next hole, leaving the contest on level terms.

The see-saw battle continued as Afshan forged ahead again with a birdie on the next hole but immediately dropped a shot while Ridhima birdied.

The two-shot swing was to prove decisive and Ridhima was never caught after that.

Hopes dashed

The gap was to open further when the overnight leader dropped a double bogey to all but end her hopes though she did manage three birdies against one bogey in the last eight holes.

For her part, Ridhima made no mistakes and also picked up a further two shots over the final stretch to seal a comfortable five-shot win.

Seher Atwal (72) who started bogey-bogey on the final day, was fourth on three-over 219, while Saaniya Sharma (70), one of the only three sub-par players on the day, was tied fifth with Hitaashee (74).

Jyotsana Singh (74) finished seventh on five-over 221, while Khushi Khanijau (75) and top amateur Lavanya Jadon (75) were tied eighth at seven-over 223. Sneha Singh (73) was tenth at 10-over 226.

The result moved Ridhima up to fifth place on the Hero Order of Merit, while Pranavi Urs, who did not play this week, stayed on top.

Hitaashee Bakshi is second while Seher Atwal and Gaurika Bishnoi are third and fourth.

The Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour now moves to the Chandigarh Golf Club for the 15^th and final leg of the 2022 season.

Also read: Afshan maintains lead at Panchkula as event promises close finish