Bengaluru: Bengaluru weather has worked wonders for the amateurs on Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour 2014, outclassing seasoned professionals for the second time in a row. Delhi amateur Mehar Atwal played some exceptional golf to emerge as the winner of the ninth leg in a nail biting play-off finish over Kolkata professional Neha Tripathi.
Earlier, both Mehar and Neha finished at the top with identical totals of 214 after 54 holes, which resulted in the play-off. The INR 5,00,000 event culminated today at the picturesque Eagleton Golf Resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Another Delhi amateur Millie Saroha finished with an impressive performance, to be placed third with a total score of 217 after the final round.
Mehar’s round today showcased her golfing acumen and maturity as the Delhi youngster held on to her nerve throughout the final round to card the day’s lowest score of three under 69. Her bogey free round consisted of three birdies on the 4th, 5th and 7th holes. She was tied with Kolkata golfer Neha Tripathi for the first place and won the tournament on the first play-off hole.
Neha’s third round of two under 70 consisted of four birdies on the 1st, 9th, 13th and 16th holes along with two bogeys on the 4th and 12th holes. Neha who walked away with the winners cheque by virtue of being the best professional, is currently placed second on the Hero Order of Merit 2014.
Overnight leader Millie Saroha’s unfortunate back nine today cost her a possible win, as she gave way to fellow amateur Mehar Atwal to enter the play-offs with Neha Tripathi. Millie began with a lot of promise as she went for the kill with a bogey free front nine which included two birdies on the 4th and 8th hole. She however failed to capitalize on her momentum as she faltered with four bogeys on the 10th, 13th, 14th and 15th holes along with a lone birdie on the 16th hole on the back nine.
Current Hero Order of Merit Leader Vani Kapoor would be keen to overcome her first round jinx. The Delhi golfer finished fourth with a total score of 218 after 54 holes. Her bogey free final round of one under 71 consisted of just a lone birdie on the 14th hole. Kapurthala golfer Gursimar Badwal finished fifth carding a total of 220 at the end of the third round. Her round consisted of three birdies on the 1st, 6th and 18th holes in addition to three bogeys on the 2nd, 11th and 13th holes.
Delhi’s Ankita Tiwana, who carded the only eagle of the tournament today, finished sixth with a total of 221 after 54 holes. Her final round score of one over 73 included an eagle on the 2nd hole and a birdie on the 18th hole. Her round also consisted of four bogeys on the 9th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes.
Pune’s Shweta Galande finished seventh with a total of 222, while Chandigarh’s Saaniya Sharma finished eighth carding a total of 223 after 54 holes. Local amateur Anisha Padukone finished ninth carding 231, while her fellow amateur Ankita Kedlaya finished tenth with a total score of 233 after the final round.
