JOIN USBrilliant Raksha grabs title in style
Raksha Phadke reserved her best for the last, emerging triumphant in commanding fashion in the IGU-Usha Southern India Ladies and Junior Girls Amateur Golf Championship here on Thursday.
Raksha, a dark horse having been ranked 22nd in the Order of Merit List, rode brilliantly on her sudden surge in form, blasting a four-under 68 to post a thumping five-shot victory after totaling 214 at the Karnataka Golf Association.
Tvesa Malik, who trailed Raksha by just a shot overnight, produced a sedate 72 to finish runner-up while pre-tournament favourite Aditi Ashok finally found her bearings, carding a 71 to sign off joint third along with Vrishali Sinha (69) at 220.
The 19-year-old Raksha all but sealed the title following a blistering start, sinking five birdies (3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th) on the opening nine that helped her open up a massive seven-shot advantage at the turn. She then played percentage golf on the inward journey, firing a birdie against two bogeys to seal victory.
Leading scores (after 54 holes): Ladies: 214: Raksha Phadke (77, 69, 68); 219: Tvesa Malik (76, 71, 72); 220: Vrishali Sinha (76, 75, 69), Aditi Ashok (77, 72, 71); 221: Seher Atwal (75, 72, 74). Category A: 220: Vrishali Sinha, Aditi Ashok; 221: Seher Atwal. Category B: 235: Dolma Rawat (83, 77, 75), Ananya Datar (84, 74, 77). Dolma beat Ananya on first play-off hole. 244: Ishvari Prasanna (84, 79, 81).Category C: 240: Esha Sharma (80, 81, 79); 243: Khushi Nehra (85, 81, 77), Pranavi S Urs (87, 78, 78).
Kartikey, Arjun in lead
Kartikey Vashist and Arjun Prasad shot matching one-under 71 to share the lead in the penultimate round of the IGU-Yes Bank Karnataka Juniors Golf Championship at the Eagleton Golf Resort on Thursday.
The duo is locked at 215, just two shots ahead of the favourite and in-form Viraj Madappa who struggled with a 73.
Leading scores (after 54 holes): Category A&B: 215: Kartikey Vashist (74, 70, 71), Arjun Prasad (69, 75, 71); 217: Viraj Madappa (73, 71, 73); 218: Kartik Sharma (74, 76, 68).
Category B: 218: Kartik Sharma; 226: Kshitij Naveed Kaul (79, 76, 71), Ranveer Grewal (78, 73, 75).