Golf: Newcomers Avani and Pranavi Advance at Australian Women’s Classic
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Synopsis
At the Australian Women’s Classic, rookies Avani Prashanth and Pranavi Urs made the cut despite challenging weather, while seasoned player Diksha Dagar fell short. Sarah Kemp made a stunning return after injury, leading the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Avani Prashanth and Pranavi Urs made the cut in their first Australian event.
- Diksha Dagar missed the cut despite her experience.
- Sarah Kemp made a remarkable comeback, taking the lead.
- Strong performances from newcomers highlight the competition.
- The cut was set at 4-over-par.
Coffs Harbour (Australia), March 15 (NationPress) Newcomers Avani Prashanth and Pranavi Urs successfully made the cut at the weather-affected Australian Women’s Classic, while the seasoned Diksha Dagar was unable to progress in the inaugural event in Australia.
Avani, competing in her first season, shot an even par 70 to her initial round of 72, finishing 2-over for 36 holes and placing tied 40th. Pranavi Urs (73-71) made the cut by finishing in the Top-60, tying for 60th. Unfortunately, Diksha Dagar, a two-time LET champion, recorded scores of 74-73, missing the cut, which was set at 4-over.
Sarah Kemp, who suffered a severe injury in a freak golf cart accident eight months ago, made a remarkable comeback with a 62 (-8), taking a two-shot lead into the final round.
Despite being an amateur, Avani has secured top-10 finishes on the Ladies European Tour (LET), including her local event, the Women’s Indian Open. She recorded two bogeys on the front nine at holes three and nine but rebounded strongly on the back nine with birdies at the 11th and 17th.
Pranavi, the champion of her home Tour’s Order of Merit, achieved three birdies but also recorded four bogeys.
The 39-year-old Kemp, who has been inactive since August, returned from surgery and played impressively with one bogey and nine birdies. After starting the day four shots behind the initial leaders, Kemp bogeyed the par-4 second but then excelled with nine birdies in 17 holes, bringing her total to 10-under par for the tournament.
Tied for second at eight-under-par are Belgium’s Manon De Roey (69-63) and Wales’s Darcey Harry (64-68). De Roey had a stellar round, making several long putts en route to a score of 63 (-7).
Just one shot behind in a tie for fourth are Sweden’s Moa Folke and Thailand’s Cholcheva Wongras, the latter making headlines at just 17 years old.
Austrian Emma Spitz, England’s Cara Gainer, and Ireland’s Lauren Walsh share sixth place at six-under-par. After 36 holes, 76 players made the cut, which was established at four-over-par.
