Mumbai: Gurbani Singh once again showed that she is the player to beat as she continued her fine form in the first round of the Usha Western India Ladies golf at the BPGC here on Wednesday. Gurbani carded an even par 70 and took a one-shot lead over Amandeep Drall, winner of the Usha Eastern India Ladies title.
 
Gurbani was a comfortable four shots clear of arch-rival Aditi Ashok and Gusimar Badwal, while Ridhima DIlawari was fifth at 75. Gurbani also led the Category A ahead of Tvesa Malik (76), and Categories A-B combined ahead of Aditi (74). Aditi led Category B.
 
Sifat Sagoo (81) was three clear of Arushi Pandey (84) while Tanishka Kumar (79) opened a handy six shot lead over Samruddhi Yadav (85).
 
Gurbani, who recently shot a six-under round at Tollygunge, opened the round with a birdie and ended with a similar birdie. In between she bogeyed the 10th and 13th for an even par round.
 
Amandeep Drall had three birdies and four bogeys, one of them on first, but she like Gurbani ended the day with a birdie in her 71.
 
The leader on Order of Merit, Aditi has been chased by Gurbani, winner of Usha Southern India and Usha West Bengal. Now Gurbani has a chance to close the gap further. There are only two more events left with the Usha Maharashtra Ladies and Usha All India Amateur.