Ridhima faces strong challenge in Chandigarh leg of Hero WPGT

By Rahul Banerji

A winner last week, Ridhima Dilawari, will be looking to consolidate on that form at the 15^th leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Chandigarh Golf Club.

Ridhima carded a brilliant six-under-par 66 to register a five-shot win at Panchkula last week and will face a strong challenge from the likes of Afshan Fatima and Gaurika Bishnoi.

Jaipur’s Afshan was in title contention after a long gap and finished second last week while Gaurika, a top-10 finisher at the Hero Women’s Indian Open was third despite a second-round 78 which she improved on by 10 shots on the final day.

Returning after a gap to the Hero WPGT is Avani Prashanth, India’s much travelled, top-ranked amateur, who has in the past tasted success while playing with the pros. Her progress will be keenly watched.

On the hunt

Sneha Singh, who is still in search of her first pro title, will be looking to make up for a disappointing finish last week, when she was tenth.

Another player hoping to make up for last week will be the talented Hitaashee Bakshi, who had an up-and-down 14th leg, where she was tied fifth.

Hitaashee, currently second on the Hero Order of Merit, will be looking to maintain her narrow lead over Seher Atwal which is down to just Rs. 3,425.

Experienced stars like Neha Tripathi and Saaniya Sharma will also be looking at a good finish at the Chandigarh Golf Club, a course quite familiar to all of them.

The field also includes six amateurs led by Avani, fresh from her appearances at global events, including the Women’s Asian Amateur Championship, the World Amateur Team Championship and others.

Round 1 tee times

8:30 am: Sinjini Mukherjee (A), Neha Tripathi, Ananya Datar

8:40 am: Siddhi Kapoor, Saaniya Sharma, Seher Atwal

8:50 am: Agrima Manral, Ishvari Prasanna, Geetika Ahuja

9 am Avani Prashanth (A), Asmitha Sathish, Shweta Mansingh

9:15 am: Karishma Govind ,Gaurika Bishnoi, Shagun Narain

9:25 am: Rhea Purvi S., Anisha Agarwalla, Hitaashee Bakshi

9:35 am: Sneha Singh, Ayesha Kapur, Lakhmehar Pardesi

9:45 am: Rhea Jha, Ridhima Dilawari, Heena Kang (A)

10 am: Jyotsana Singh, Anaggha Venkatesh, Mehar Atwal

10:10 am: Khushi, Khushi Khanijau, Jia Kataria (A)

10:20 am: Ragini Navet (A), Afshan Fatima, Snigdha Goswami (A)

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