Amandeep holds off Pranavi to win DLF leg of Hero WPGT

By Rahul Banerji

Amandeep Drall found critical momentum when it was needed to beat back Pranavi Urs and win the fifth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour in Gurgaon on Thursday.

Amandeep shifted gears on the back nine of the challenging Gary Player layout at the DLF Golf and Country Club to sink four birdies and seal the title.

Even as Pranavi, who has won twice this season, turned in the week’s best round of a bogey-free 67, Amandeep was able to keep her at bay despite a dropped shot on the back nine.

Amandeep, who led all the way, coasted to her first title of the season with seven birdies against four bogeys in a creditable 69.

Amandeep aggregated 1-under 215 during her wire-to-wire win and was the only player in the field to finish with an under par total.

Pranavi, who had 75-75 on the first two days, was in great form with five birdies and no bogeys in her 67.

Falling away

Jahanvi Bakshi, who was in the fray till the end of the front nine, put herself out of the reckoning with four bogeys against two birdies on the back nine in her card of 73, and finished third on 4-over 220.

Gaurika Bishnoi (71), after an early birdie on second, had a hat-trick of birdies at the end of the front nine, but she also gave away a double bogey and another bogey.

She was fourth, while Hitaashee Bakshi (72) was fifth after two birdies and two bogeys on the final day.

Vani Kapoor after two tough days with 78-79 shot 1-under 71, which was one of the four under-par scores of the day to finish sixth.

Amateur Nishna Patel (75), Neha Tripathi (76) and Astha Madan (78) were T9 while Saaniya Sharma, Trimann Saluja and Ridhima Dilawari were further down the order.

Pranavi stayed on top of the Hero Order of Merit with Rs.4,88,500, Jahanvi second with Rs.4,18,000 and Gaurika Bishnoi (Rs.4,02,000) third.

Also read: Amandeep leads despite day two struggles at DLF event