By Rahul Banerji
Hyderabad golfer Sneha Singh ended day one of the first round of the LPGA and Epson Tour Qualifying Tournament Stage I two shots behind the leaders in California on Monday.
The Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour Order of Merit leader compiled a 4 under par 68 on the Dinah Shore course at Rancho Mirage with two US amateurs leading the 305-strong field on 6 under 66s.
The top 95 and ties at the qualifier being played concurrently at Mission Hills Country Club and Indian Wells Country Club advance to Stage II with Epson Tour status awarded to players who make the 54-hole cut.
Of the three other Indians in the field, Nikita Arjun was tied for 53rd 71 at Indian Wells, Sharmila Nicolett was T119 on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills with a 73, and Pranavi Urs had a 76 on the Arnold Palmer course also in Mission Hills.
Mixed bag
Sneha had five birdies against one dropped shot that had her on the heels of US amateurs Anna Morgan and Jensen Castle who returned 66s on the Palmer layout.
In a tightly bunched field, Sneha, a former national champion and two-time winner on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour this year, was alongside 10 others on 68 behind a six-way tie for third place.
The Hyderabad player, now in her second year as a professional also won the Ladies European Tour’s regional qualifier at the Classic course in Gurgaon last October.
From the Stage I event, the top 54 will go through to Stage II under the new requirement change for Epson Tour status for 2024 while players are required to complete the full 72 holes to earn any status at all.
Players who complete 72 holes without a score of 88 or higher will earn 2024 Epson Tour status in Category N, the event page said.
Stage II will be played at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida, from October 17 to 20.
According to the LPGA website, the 305-player field battled the heat at all three courses for their first 18 holes, with temperatures reaching into the 100’s.
First-timers
At the top, Morgan is in her first career LPGA and Epson Tour qualifier along with fellow-first timer and roommate Castle.
“It was just a lot of fun out there,” Morgan said.
“I’ve been nervous all week and was excited for the tournament to start. I love tournament golf and being competitive. Once I teed off, it felt like I was at home, and the nerves went away, which was a good thing.”
Added Castle, “I hit the ball really solid and just stayed really calm.
“It is really cool to be here and see a lot of the girls I played in amateur golf. I feel like if this was one of your first big events, it could be very intimidating because you don’t know anyone, and then people start posting good scores.”
Frenchwoman Charlotte Liautier was part of the group who hit 5-under 67s after a bogey-free round at the Palmer Course. The LET cardholder and Access Tour winner in 2021 as an amateur said, “Honestly, the start was really tough because it was a bit stressful out there.
“I just tried to focus in on every shot and stay present throughout my round. I was able to do that and have a good day, and I am proud of that.”
Also read: National champ Avani wins Euro circuit professional event
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