Tvesa Malik takes the lead at Prestige Golfshire

An even 72 was the best effort on the Prestige Golfshire course that tested the women severely in the opening round on Wednesday. Millie Saroha (73) and Ridhima Dilawari (74) were among chasing the leader

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27/04/2019. Ladies European Tour 2019. Lalla Meryem Cup, Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat, Morocco. 25-28 April 2019. Tvesa Malik of India during the second round. Credit: Tristan Jones

12 June 2019: The eighth leg of the WGAI Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour presented a tricky test to a strong field of 32 women at the Prestige Golfshire in Bengaluru. Tvesa Malik earned a one-stroke lead over Millie Saroha as all but eight women scored 80 or worse on Wednesday. The leader is the only women to stay even with the course, that too courtesy three birdies in five holes right after the turn. Saroha made 73, with Ridhima Dilawari trailing her at 74. Khushi Khanijau made 75 while last week’s winner Gaurika Bishnoi rounded out the top five at 77.

Pranavi Urs, runner-up at Clover Greens managed only an 83 in the opening round in Bengaluru. Ayesha Kapur was thrust out on the 16-stroke role after making a 90 and Hita Prakash withdrew due to an unspecified injury.

A slew of bogeys, a common sight on the day on many a card, ruined the day for local girl Ayesha Padukone. She ended the day at 13-over, posting an 85 containing eleven bogeys and a double on the last hole.

Tvesa was two over through the first four holes. A birdie at the par-5 fifth offered her some respite before she reached the tenth tee without any further damage at one-over. She was even through ten where she made a birdie, but a bogey at the next hole slipped her back into over-par territory.

A couple of birdies back to back set her apart on a day when one seemed like a touch of gold. But a bogey at the par-3 15th dampened her prospects and she brought it home with three straight pars for an even 72.

Millie was three over with three to go, but she turned it around brilliantly with two birdies in those last three holes to finish the day with limited damage to her card.

Ridhima got off to a flyer with two back to back birdies at the second and third, but consecutive bogeys at the 6th and 14th left her two down when she returned to the hut.

Khushi made five birdies, but she endured just as many bogeys on the back nine alone as she signed on a three-over card of 75. Gaurika could only manage a lone birdie as she battled the elements with gusto before resting on a 77. Expect her to bounce back strongly when the girls tee off in the second round on Thursday.