WGAI Release, 21 November 2018:
Tvesa Malik got off to a fine start with an even-par 70 in the first round of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour on Wednesday. Playing at the Palms Golf Club and Resort in Lucknow, Tvesa, who has emerged as a fine talent this season, shot two birdies against two bogeys. She is now one shot ahead of second-placed Smriti Mehra, who had a fine front nine with one-under 33. However, in the back nine, she gave away three bogeys against just one birdie on 17th for a total of one-over 71.
Tvesa, the leader on the Hero Order of Merit, has already won three titles this season, while Smriti is looking for her first one.
Tvesa made a birdie on the par-5 first hole at the Palms Golf Club & Resort in Lucknow. She slipped into over par territory, when she conceded bogeys second and eleventh holes. But Tvesa secured an even-par card with a fine birdie at the 225 yards par-4 17th hole.
Smriti had a far more colourful round. She posted four birdies but also conceded five bogeys on her card of 71.
Third-placed Gursimar Badwal shot 74 but did not find her first birdie till the 16th. She birdied 17th too, but had a total of six bogeys, with 3 in each half, including one on 18th.
Amandeep Drall, Ridhima Dilawari and Neha Tripathi were all Tied-fourth with 75 each, while Millie Saroha was sole seventh at 76.
Afshan Fatima, Khushi Khanijau and Siddhi Kapoor were Tied-eighth with cards of 78 each.
Komal Chaudhary, Saaniya Sharma and Siddhi Kapoor will tee off first, followed by Khushi Khanijau, Afshan Fatima and Millie Saroha. Ridhima Dilawari, Neha Tripathi and Amandeep Drall will go out in the third group, while Gursimar Badwal, Smriti Mehra and leader Tvesa Malik will tee off last in the leader group.
This is the 16th leg, with two more to follow in the current season.
