Dec 15, 2016: Unheralded Shagun Narain shocked the fancied Tvesa Malik in the first round of Matchplay at the 100th USHA All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championships on Thursday. On the first day of the knockout segment of the competition, Shagun, 16, stunned Tvesa, who last year even won a pro tournament whilst still being an amateur.
The match went to the wire before Shagun emerged winner. Shagun will now meet Sifat Alag, who beat Tanirika Singh 2&1.
Favourite and topper in the stroke play segment, Malaysia’s Nur Durriah Damian was taken the full distance by 17-year-old Punjab girl, Gurjot Badwal. Nur, the three-time Malaysian Amateur champion, finally won 1-up after 18 holes. The Malaysia ace will now meet Pranavi Urs, who beat Nur Maisara Saad 5&4.
Another player expected to contend in the latter stages of the tournament, Seher Atwal outplayed Gemma Claws of England 6&5, the match ending on the 13th hole. Seher will have tough second round against local Sifat Sagoo, the talented 15-year-old who beat another Malaysian Liyana Durisic 3&2.
The day’s biggest win was achieved by Singaporean Amanda Tan, who beat Bangladesh golfer, Jakia Sultana 7&6 as the match ended on the 12th green. India’s top draw Diksha Dagar beat Shuraz Singh 6&4 and will meet the in-form Singaporean Amanda next.
Results: Matchplay Round 1 (all players Indian unless otherwise mentioned): Nur Durriah Damian (Mas) bt Gurjot Badwal 1-Up; Pranavi Urs bt Nur Maisara Saad (Mas) 5&4; Seher Atwal bt Gemma Clews (Eng) 6&5; Sifat Sagoo bt Liyana Durisic (Mas) 3&2; Gauri Karhade bt Ananya Barthakur 2&1; Zethu Myeki (SAF) bt Noramal Nuchsila (Tha) 3&2; Maria Dunne (Ire) bt Siripatsorn Patchana (Tha) 2-Up; Geraldine Wong (Mas) bt Liza Akhter Bangladesh) 2-Up; Shagun Narain bt Tvesa Malik 1-Up; Sifat Alag bt Tanirika Singh 2&1; Amanda Tan (Sin) bt Jakia Sultana (Bangladesh) 7&6; Diksha Dagar bt Shiraz Singh 6&4; Tsai Wei Chia 9 Taipei) bt Yavnika Duhan 3&2; Dolma Rawat bt Arshia Mahant 2&1; Callista Chen (Sin) bt Trimann Saluja 4&3; Anika Varma bt Seerat Kaur Alag 4&3
IGU Release
