Runaway leader Hitaashee retains cushion at DLF WPGT leg

By Rahul Banerji

Even though she did not produce the magic of the first two days, Hitaashee Bakshi stayed a comfortable 10 shots ahead of the field going into the final day of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour event at the DLF course on Thursday.

Following rounds of 64 and 66, Hitaashee carded a more modest 3 over par 75 but at 11-under 205, she was still 10 shots clear of the field in the Rs. 25 lakh event, the WGAI said.

Gaurika Bishnoi (70) had the only sub-par round on a breezy third day and at 1-under 215 was tied for second alongside former Order of Merit winner, Vani Kapoor (75).

Last week’s winner, Amandeep Drall (76) was fourth, while Queen Sirikit Cup-bound amateurs Vidhatri Urs (73) were tied for fifth with Zara Anand (74).

Jasmine Shekar (73), Riya Yadav (79), Khushi Khanijau (78) and amateur Janneya Dasannjee (77) held the seventh to tenth places.

Changed fortunes

Hitaashee, who has been unstoppable so far, began with three pars and a double bogey. She made up one shot on the next hole at her home course, but after two more pars, dropped back-to-back strokes before the turn.

On the back nine, an early bogey was compensated by a closing birdie for a round of 75, ahead of fellow DLF GCC players Vani and Gaurika, who missed five birdies with three bogeys while Vani had a bogey and a double in her 75.

Amandeep had three bogeys on the front nine and her solitary gain of the day came on the back nine though she would close with a double bogey for a 76.

Vidhatri and Zara, part of the Indian Golf Union’s team at the Queen Sirikit Cup next week in New Zealand, shot 73 and 74 respectively.

Vidhatri had two birdies against three bogeys, while Zara had two birdies and a bogey on the front nine and a birdie after the turn at which point she was 2-under for the day,

She then dropped shots on the next four holes for a 74.

Also read: Hitaashee opens up 10-shot lead at DLF leg of Hero WPGT