Gaurika Bishnoi edges out Neha Tripathi to victory

Gaurika Bishnoi secured her first title of the 2019 season with a consistent performance, edging out a rampant Neha Tripathi, forcing her way with a 68

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Gaurika Bishnoi, during the second round of the fifth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Classic Golf & Country Club

WGAI Release, 08 March 2019: Gaurika Bishnoi held her nerve in the closing stages of the final round of the fifth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour event to become the fifth different winner this season. Gaurika, who led by four shots after the second round, completed a start-to-finish win with a final round of 71 even as Neha Tripathi golfer made a late charge with an impressive four-under 68 to come within a shot of the winner.

Gaurika had rounds of 72, 70 and 71 with none of her cards being above par. That showed a lot of consistency, which has been a hallmark of her play.

While Gaurika and Neha were engaged in a big battle, Gursimar Badwal (73) was third while Ridhima Dilawari (73) was Tied-fourth with Smriti Mehra (74). Afshan Fatima (70) was sixth, Siddhi Kapoor (77) slipped to seventh, Khushi Khanijau (71) was eighth while Jyotsna Singh (71) and Ananya Datar (74) were Tied-10th.

Neha Tripathi golfer, who was four behind Gaurika at the start, turned in one-under 35, the same as the leader. Thereafter, the action started heating up on the back nine. After 12 holes the situated remained the same despite a birdie and a bogey from Gaurika, the same as Neha. Then Neha had three birdies in a row from 13th to 15th, while Gaurika only had pars and the gap was down to one.

Amidst pressure, Neha dropped a shot on 16th and even though she birdied the 18th, she fell short  by one despite a brilliant three-under 33 on the back nine and a round of 68, which was the best of the week.

The final day produced five under-par rounds as the players went all out.

Gaurika did not have any birdies in the last six holes, but she was steady for six straight pars and logged her first win of the year following one runner-up and another third place finish.

The first five legs have now produced five different winners, signifying a close contest amongst the women professionals. 

This week, Diksha Dagar, Amandeep Drall, Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik and Astha Madan are playing in Australia and hence missed this event.

Despite not winning the title, Neha Tripathi golfer moved to the top of the Hero Order of Merit with Rs.4,51,400, as Gursimar Badwal lies second with Rs.3,90,400 and Gaurika Bishnoi moves up to Rs.3,76,800. Amandeep Drall with Rs.3,44,000) and Afshan Fatima with Rs.2,61,400) complete the top five.

The action will now shift to the Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida for the sixth Leg of the 2019 season.