December 17, 2013: Indian Golf Union (IGU) Ladies Amateur Golf Tour Order of Merit leader Gurbani Singh and sixth placed Ridhima Dilawari shared the opening day honours with identical rounds of even par 70 at the USHA All India Ladies & Junior Girls Amateur Golf Championship 2013, being played at the prestigious Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC).
Both sank three birdies over 18 holes of golf, but three bogeys by Gurbani and one bogey and a double bogey by Ridhima meant that they could not finish the day with a sub-par round. Two more rounds and 36 holes are still to be played before the winner emerges. Gurbani in particular will be the one to watch as she is generally consistent when she finishes well.
Ridhima has also been a regular top ten finisher on the tour, which reflects in her Order of Merit ranking and she would love to secure the season ending title to end the year on a high. Second in the Order of Merit list, Bangalore based Aditi Ashok ended the day in joint third with a card of three over 73. She did not give up any stroke on the front nine, but three bogeys on the back nine spoilt her card. Gursimar Badwal, another tour regular finished with an identical score of 73 to give Aditi company in third place.
Day two will be important for Gurbani and a good showing will almost seal her the title of India’s best amateur lady golfer for the second year running.
