How Did Amandeep Drall Secure a 2-Shot Lead in the Hero WPGT?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amandeep Drall takes the lead with 3-under 69.
- Late bogeys on the 16th and 17th challenge her position.
- Neha Tripathi and Seher Atwal follow closely at 1-under 71.
- Top amateur Saanvi Somu scores 73, including an eagle.
- Vani Kapoor struggles with a 3-over 75, falling behind.
Hosur (Tamil Nadu), July 16 (NationPress) Amandeep Drall, who is gradually regaining her winning form from the domestic Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour, began with an impressive 3-under 69, securing a two-shot lead in the opening round of the ninth Leg of the Hero WPGT at the Clover Greens.
Amandeep encountered two late bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes, yet she maintained a solid lead over experienced players Neha Tripathi and Seher Atwal, both of whom finished with a score of 1-under 71.
Five other competitors, including Vidhatri Urs, Anaggha Venkatesh, Jasmine Shekar, Sneha Singh, and Jahaanvie Walia, posted even par 72 each, tying for fourth place.
Amandeep Drall, with one victory in eight outings this season, was initially at even par after seven holes, having made a birdie on the second hole, which was canceled out by a bogey on the sixth. She then experienced a remarkable stretch from the eighth to twelfth holes, achieving four birdies, including three consecutive ones from the eighth to the eleventh. She added another birdie on the fifteenth, reaching 5-under for the day, but the two bogeys brought her back to 3-under, still keeping her in the lead.
Neha showcased a commendable performance, recording four birdies between the ninth and twelfth holes, in addition to one other birdie and four bogeys.
Seher Atwal registered four birdies against three bogeys, with three of her bogeys occurring between the ninth and twelfth holes.
Amateur Saanvi Somu, a four-time runner-up, emerged as the top amateur with a round of 73 that featured one of the day's three eagles on the Par-5 second hole. Her scorecard included an eagle, one birdie, two bogeys, and a double bogey.
Additionally, two other players, Karishma Govind and amateur Ayushi Dutta, also achieved eagles on the same hole.
Saanvi tied for ninth place alongside Kriti Chowhan and Lavanya Jadon, who all recorded a score of 73. Four players, including seasoned golfer Ridhima Dilawari, Gauri Karhade, Durga Nittur, and Anvvi Dahhiya, tied for twelfth place with scores of 74 each.
The Order of Merit leader and four-time winner this season, Vani Kapoor, faced challenges, finishing with a score of 3-over 75, accumulating three birdies, four bogeys, and a double bogey. She found herself tied for sixteenth place, trailing her friend Amandeep by eight shots.