Can Consistent Jasmine Secure Her Lead in the 2026 WPG Tour Opening Leg?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, Jan 13 (NationPress) Jasmine Shekar, known for her consistency on the Women's Pro Golf Tour, began with an impressive performance, achieving a score of 3-under 67, thanks to two crucial late birdies. This remarkable round placed her in the sole lead after the opening round of the inaugural leg of the 2026 Tour at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Jasmine, who clinched a victory in 2025, holds a one-shot advantage over the promising young professional Lavanya Jadon, who also secured a win last season. Lavanya finished with a score of 2-under 68, while the only other competitor with a score at par or better was former champion Seher Atwal, who carded a 70 on the Par-70 course.
Among five players tied for fourth, Sneha Singh and Amandeep Drall, both of whom were multiple winners in 2025, shot 2-over 72. The other players included Ridhima Dilawari, Jahanvi Bakshi, and Khushi Khanijau.
In 2025, Jasmine participated in all 15 events, finishing third in the Order of Merit behind Vani Kapoor, who did not compete this week, and Amandeep Drall. Her round featured birdies on the third and eighth holes, turning in at 2-under 35, with additional gains on the 16th and 17th holes. The only blemish was a single shot lost on the Par-3 13th hole.
Lavanya started with a bogey but rebounded without further mistakes, earning strokes on the second, sixth, and twelfth holes. Seher Atwal's round included four birdies and four bogeys, resulting in her 70.
Sneha Singh was 3-over through 17 but managed her first and only birdie on the 18th hole. Jahanvi registered three birdies in her last six holes after a series of mistakes. Amandeep Drall managed two birdies but faced four bogeys, while Ridhima recorded one birdie alongside three bogeys. Heena Kang, who turned professional last season and claimed a victory in four starts, began the new season with a score of 75, placing her tied for 16th.
Four players, including the talented US-bound amateur Zara Anand, recorded scores of 3-over 73, tying for ninth. The others in this group were Shweta Mansingh, Ananya Garg, and Shagun Narain.
Debutant professional Saanvi Somu struggled with a score of 6-over 76, placing her 19th, while Vidhatri Urs finished with 77 after three consecutive double bogeys on the back nine, tying for 20th.
The new season has kicked off with the addition of ten new players to the professional ranks, highlighting the ongoing rise of women's golf in India.