Golf: Diksha Dagar Begins Strong with 4-Under 67 in Australia
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Synopsis
Diksha Dagar impressively shot a 4-under 67 in the first round of the Women’s NSW Open in Wollongong, Australia, overcoming a missed cut last week. She is tied for fourth place as the tournament unfolds.
Key Takeaways
- Diksha Dagar shot 4-under 67 in her first round.
- She overcame a tough missed cut last week.
- Seven birdies and four bogeys characterized her performance.
- The event features a 132-player field in a 72-hole format.
- Local players are competing alongside international talent.
Wollongong (Australia) March 20 (NationPress) Following a challenging missed cut last week, Diksha Dagar, a two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, delivered an impressive 4-under 67 in the opening round of the Women’s NSW Open.
Commencing her round from the ninth hole, which is the initial hole on the back nine of the Wollongong Golf Club, Diksha started with a bogey but quickly turned things around with seven birdies across the following ten holes. However, her momentum shifted as she dropped three shots in four holes – at the third, fifth, and sixth, before netting another birdie on the seventh.
Her score of 67 placed her tied for fourth, while Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz and local favorite Kirsten Rudgeley led the 18-hole standings with rounds of 65 (-6).
Diksha, who previously finished as the runner-up at the season opener in Morocco at the Lalla Meryem Cup, recorded eight birdies but was hampered by four bogeys, three of which came towards the end of her round, ultimately resulting in her 67.
Among other Indian players, Pranavi Urs posted an even par 71, placing her T-37, while rookie Avani Prashanth, who previously achieved a Top-15 finish, ended T-54 with a 1-over 72.
Pranavi managed two birdies against two bogeys, while Avani had two birdies but also incurred three bogeys.
Four-time Ladies European Tour winner Iturrioz set the pace in Australia with seven birdies during the morning session, despite starting with an early bogey on the par-4 third hole.
As the wind increased in the afternoon, Rudgeley embraced the conditions, starting with a birdie on the par-5 first hole. She added three more birdies at the fourth, fifth, and eighth holes, with her only dropped shot occurring on the sixth, completing her front nine in 32.
Rudgeley continued strong against the wind, adding three more birdies at the 11th, 13th, and 14th holes to match Iturrioz’s tally before securing a steady finish with her 65 (-6).
Just one shot behind the leaders is Anna Magnusson, who carded eight birdies during Thursday morning, showcasing excellent putting.
Seven players are tied for fourth at four-under par: India’s Diksha, Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom, Czech Republic’s Sara Kouskova, New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey, Denmark’s Cecilie Finne-Ipsen, Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama, and Switzerland’s Kim Metraux.
This tournament is a 72-hole stroke play event featuring a 132-player field.
