Ridhima holds off hard-charging Mannat for season’s fourth win

Ridhima Dilawari receives her winner’s cheque from Prestige Golfshire general manager Declan McCollam after completion of leg 12 of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour in Bangalore on Friday. Image courtesy WGAI.

By Rahul Banerji

Ridhima Dilawari survived the challenge from a surging Mannat Brar for her fourth title on the season at Prestige Golfshire near Bangalore on Friday. 

The winner shot a 4 under 68 for her third straight under-par round following cards of 67 and 71 at the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour 12^th leg, the WGAi said.

Ridhima’s 10 under 206 saw her finish one shot ahead of Mannat (66, seven birdies, one bogey), who brought in the best card of the week in a total of 9 under 207.

Ridhima’s earlier wins this season came at Ahmedabad’s at Kalhaar Blues & Greens, Poona Golf Club and Noida’s Jaypee Wishtown. 

She has also been runner-up twice this season and extends her lead at the top of the Hero Order of Merit.

While the winner battled to hold on to her lead, Vidhatri Urs (71) and Heena Kang (72) were Vidhatri carded 71 and Heena shot 72 to be tied at 3 under 213.

Ridhima had a mixed run early in her round with birdie and double bogey by the fourth hole to open the door slightly for Mannat before making up with back-to-back birdies before the turn.

Closing in

Mannat had one and three birdies over the first nine holes to reduce the gap from three shots to two.

On the back nine, Mannat had four birdies against two gains by Ridhima, who could, however, keep an eye on the scores since she was playing in the final group.

When Mannat birdied 16, the scores were tied at 9 under. Mannat parred the last two holes to set the clubhouse target and waited for Ridhima, who needed to birdie 18 to avoid a play-off which she did for the win.
Vidhatri had three birdies against two bogeys in her 71, while Heena had three birdies against a double bogey and bogey for a 72.

Neha Tripathi, who was tied third after 36 holes, gave away too many shots in her 75 and slipped to sole fifth.

Only Ridhima, Mannat, Vidhatri and Heena were under par for the week and Neha finished on level par 216.

Amandeep Drall, Vani Kapoor and Prakruthi Sastry shot 70s to share sixth place, while the promising Kashika Misra and Jahnavi Prakhya tied for ninth at 3 over 219.

Also read: Ridhima closes in on her fourth title of Hero WPGT season