Tvesa puts in late charge to land season’s second title

By Rahul Banerji

Tvesa Malik and Millie Saroha waged a stirring battle down the back nine before the former prevailed by one shot to win the eighth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Prestige Golfshire course near Bangalore on Friday.

Tvesa sank three birdies in five holes without dropping a shot for a 2-under 70 and a 3-under 213 total, enough to pip overnight leader Millie who returned a level-par 72 on the day. Saroha also achieved her best result, finishing sole second on 2-under 214. 

Tvesa’s coach and manager Brandon De Souza said, “This is reward for all of Tvesa’s hard work. She has a brilliant work ethic and her rounds of 72, 71 and 70 came from some solid golf. It’s the perfect preparation for next week’s big event in Thailand.”

The 23-year-old from Delhi became the third player this season after Ridhima Dilawari and Gaurika Bishnoi, to win twice. Her earlier title came in the third leg, while Ridhima and Gaurika had two wins each in the last four events. Millie, however, continues the search for her maiden success.

Neha Tripathi shot the day’s only card in the 60s, with a 3-under 69 to finish fourth, while Khushi Khanijau (75), Astha Madan and Ridhima Dilawari (78) were tied fifth at 227.

Amandeep Drall (72), Ananya Datar (74) and amateur Sneha Sharan (78) completed the top 10.

Close contest

Millie started the day with a one-shot lead that vanished as Tvesa opened with a birdie. Both bogeyed the second, but when Tvesa followed her birdie with a double bogey, Millie had the sole lead again. It stayed that way till they reached the 13th tee.

Tvesa made a decisive move on the 13th and 14^th holes with birdies, while Millie failed to convert her chances. The birdie on 13^th saw Tvesa catch Millie and next one saw her go ahead again. Tvesa’s birdie on the par-3 17th was matched by Millie but the former stayed ahead.

On the closing hole Millie was unable to find the crucial birdie while Tvesa held her nerve for a par that was good enough to seal her second success of the season.

Tvesa, who turned pro in 2017 and won two titles in her Rookie season, won four times in 2018 and topped the Hero Order of Merit. Her first win this season came at Ahmedabad’s Kensville Golf and Country Club which she won by a massive 15-shot margin.

Gaurika Bishnoi ended with a card of 71 and in distant third at 6-over 222, nine shots behind the winner.

The top five on the Hero Order of Merit was unchanged after Friday’s result. Gaurika maintains her top spot, followed by Neha Tripathi, Gursimar Badwal, Amandeep Drall and Ridhima Dilawari. Tvesa jumped from ninth to sixth place.

After a short break, the players will return to Bengaluru in the first week of July.

Top finishers

1. 213: Tvesa Malik (71-71-70);

2. 214: Mille Saroha (73-69-72);

3. 222: Gaurika Bishnoi (77-74-71);

4. 223: Neha Tripathi (80-74-69);

5. 227: Khushi Khanijau (75-77-75); Astha Madan (78-72-77); and Ridhima Dilawari (74-75-78)

Also read: Tvesa Malik leads after tough opener at Prestige Golfshire