Diksha Dagar's Stellar Comeback at the NSW Open
Synopsis
In an inspiring comeback, India's Diksha Dagar shoots two bogey-free rounds to jump to T-26 at the NSW Open. With impressive birdies in both rounds, she aims for a strong finish against a tightly contested leaderboard.
Key Takeaways
Diksha Dagar rebounded from a first-round setback.
She achieved two consecutive bogey-free rounds.
Diksha's performance included a total of 11 birdies across rounds.
She is positioned well for a final day charge.
The leaderboard remains highly competitive.
Wollongong, Feb 28 (NationPress) India's prominent golfer Diksha Dagar made a remarkable recovery from a troubling first round score of 77, posting impressive rounds of 66 and 65 in her subsequent outings, climbing to a tied-26th position after the third round of the Ford Women’s NSW Open.
In the second round, Diksha recorded five birdies without a single bogey, maintaining her exceptional performance in the third round with six additional birdies, including four in the last five holes. She stands at 5-under par and is strategically poised for a strong finish on the final day. Her second-round score of 66 was crucial for her to make the cut in 53rd place, and she advanced to T-26 after three days of play.
Other Indian competitors, including Hitaashee Bakshi (73-73), Pranavi Urs (74-74), and Avani Prashanth (80-72), unfortunately missed the cut.
The leaderboard is tightly contested as regional qualifier Hannah Reeves leads with an impressive score of 12-under par.
This 17th edition of the tournament has been filled with excitement, particularly due to heavy rainfall on Thursday.
After completing 36 holes at Wollongong Golf Club, a shotgun start for round three took place at 14:45 local time, with Ireland's Aine Donegan initially holding a two-shot lead.
Donegan began strongly, birdying the par-5 1st hole, but faltered with five dropped shots over her next ten holes, allowing others to catch up.
Reeves, who has triumphed in three regional qualifiers, took full advantage of the sun-drenched day, bouncing back from a bogey at the 3rd hole to score six birdies for a round of 66 (-5).
The excitement reached its peak as the Australian nearly achieved an eagle on the closing hole, maintaining a one-shot lead over compatriot Kelsey Bennett with 18 holes to play in New South Wales.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s April Angurasaranee enjoyed a spectacular day, achieving her best round of golf with a score of 62 (-9), which notably included a hole-in-one at the 170-yard par-3 12th hole. She is now tied for third with France's Agathe Laisne and 17-year-old amateur Soomin Oh from South Korea.
In total, six players complete the top-10 leaderboard at eight-under par.
Point of View
It's clear that Diksha Dagar's resilience in the face of adversity shines through in her recent performance. Her ability to bounce back with two bogey-free rounds is commendable, positioning her well for a strong finish in the competitive landscape of the NSW Open.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Diksha Dagar's score in the first round?
Diksha Dagar scored 77 in the first round.
How did Diksha perform in the second and third rounds?
Diksha shot rounds of 66 and 65, making her way up the leaderboard.
What position is Diksha currently in?
She is currently tied for 26th place after three rounds.
Who is leading the tournament?
Hannah Reeves is leading with a score of 12-under par.
Did other Indian players make the cut?
No, other Indian players Hitaashee Bakshi, Pranavi Urs, and Avani Prashanth missed the cut.
