Pranavi Urs Secures Tied Fifth, Diksha Dagar Climbs to Tied-14th at Australian Women’s Classic
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Magenta Shores (Australia), March 7 (NationPress) India’s Pranavi Urs is firmly in the race at the Australian Women’s Classic, concluding the third round in a commendable tied fifth position despite encountering a late challenge. Pranavi recorded a score of 70 for the third round, bringing her total to eight-under par after rounds of 72, 66, and 70.
The 21-year-old golfer appeared poised for an even higher finish but faced a significant setback with a double bogey on the 17th hole. Nevertheless, she retained her status among the top players as the final round approaches.
Kelsey Bennett from Australia will lead the pack into the last day, holding a slim one-shot advantage. Bennett's consistent performance with rounds of 66, 68, and 70 has propelled her to 12-under par, preserving her lead atop the leaderboard.
Another Indian player, Diksha Dagar, also made notable progress on Saturday. After a challenging round of 73 previously, she rebounded with an impressive three-under 69, placing her at five-under overall and tied for 14th position with one round left.
Pranavi's round featured a mix of highs and lows. She began with a birdie on the second hole but lost shots on the fourth and fifth. However, she regained her rhythm with birdies on the eighth and ninth, finishing the front nine at one-under.
On the back nine, Pranavi showcased her skills, earning birdies on the 11th, 13th, and 15th holes to advance up the leaderboard. Although the double bogey on the 17th briefly halted her progress, she managed to end the day among the tournament's elite.
Diksha’s round also began with challenges, including bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes. She responded strongly, recording birdies on the eighth and ninth, followed by three additional birdies on the back nine to conclude the round with flair.
Meanwhile, Bennett maintained her steady performance at Magenta Shores, pursuing her first Ladies European Tour title on home turf. England’s Meghan MacLaren, a former champion of this event, remains a key contender, while Alice Hewson, another English player, is positioned in fourth place at nine-under par.
As the final 18 holes loom, the competition is wide open as participants vie for the championship.