19 October 2018: On a bright and sunny day at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurugram, it was a battle between a stubborn course set against a determined bunch of golfers. Tvesa Malik showed steel and character in posting a 71 to earn a spot inside the top ten. At the halfway stage of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, Christine Wolf underlined the value of consistency with a second 68, for a comfortable four-stroke lead over Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras.
Tvesa showed great discipline playing alongside established stars Caroline Hedwall and Beth Allen. Her two seniors battled through the day to post 77 each while the Indian kept her head firmly on those young shoulders to finish at one-under par 143.
On a day when most players were bleeding on the return stretch, Tvesa reaped the rewards of her disciplined approach. She was one over for the front nine, starting on the tenth. But she was two under on her way home despite feeling that she may have left some shots out on the course.
“I’m disappointed with today, I feel I could have finished much better, I had a lot of good chances for birdies especially in the last 4-5 holes but I could not convert,” ruminated Tvesa. “My game has been good so hopefully tomorrow and day after will be better. I started really good with two birdies on the 10th and 11th, had another birdie on the 16th but after that, I just missed a lot of birdies.
“I’m set to go to LET Q school in December and I’m happy with my game. In this event, it’s good to see yourself competing against the players you want to compete with. I think it is a good step towards Q school. It’s about getting into your comfort zone, being comfortable with different courses, playing against players who are great. My game is there, I just need to do it consistently and in situations where it’s needed.”
Even as her nearest contenders kept bleeding strokes, Wolf went on a tear. She posted seven birdies over a nine-hole stretch starting at the 5th to separate herself from the field.
Wolf conceded a pair of bogeys on the home stretch, owing to some wayward strikes at the 14th and 17th holes, but at ten under at the stage, she could afford those luxuries.
“I’m just enjoying it. We have one-and-a-half events left this year, so I want to make the most of it. On this course, you don’t want to get ahead of yourself, so I’m going to take it one step at a time,” said a cautiously optimistic Wolf.
“Anything can happen if you just miss one shot, so there are still 36 holes to go. Of course, it’s nice to have a big lead, but you can’t get comfortable out here. Every shot you hit, you have to be patient and try and keep it in play.”
Pannarat survived a triple bogey at the par-5 eighth hole to post an even 72. She is lying second at 4-under 140. Overnight leader Tonje Daffinrud also carded a triple, hers coming at the 14th and essentially accounting for a 75 in the second round.
Marianne Skarpnord (74), Manon Molle (70) and Eleanor Givens (71) were tied in fourth at two-under. Tvesa brought in a group of four golfers tied at one under. Keeping her company in T7 are Nicole Broch Larsen, Kanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul and Celine Boutier.
Only fifteen women remain at par or better after two bruising days of golf on this brilliant Gary Player designed course. Gaurika Bishnoi is at T16, dented by a 74 on Friday. Ridhima Dilawari ended the day at T27 with a 77 to her name.
Pranavi Urs, Vani Kapoor and Astha Madan broke into the weekend at 6-over 150. Vani battled back from her first round 77 with a 73 today. Her card, containing five birdies, was compromised by a triple at the 15th. “I was striking the ball well. It was a good round too, but one poor hole cost me dear,” said Vani.
Sifat Sagoo spent an anxious afternoon waiting before making the weekend right above the edge of the knife. After starting the day at even par, Sifat posted a 79 in the second round. Diksha Dagar will also feature in the weekend draw at 7-over, posting a 76.
Gursimar Badwal, Anika Varma, Afshan Fatima and Siddhi Kapoor will miss out with their scores at 9-over. Amandeep Drall was 13-over just ahead of Khushi Khanijau and Seher Atwal. Sonam Chugh also made an exit with her score at 18-over 162.
