Hitaashee leads HWIO on day two with four Indians in the top 10

Day two Hero Women’s Indian Open leader Hitaashee Bakshi discusses a shot with her caddy Sachin at the DLF Golf and Country Cliub on Friday. Image courtesy of HWIO.

By Rahul Banerji

Hitaashee Bakshi became the second home golfer to lead the Hero Women’s Indian Open at the DLF Golf and Country Club in as many days on Friday with a flawless run.

After Vani Kapoor finished the first day at the top of the leaderboard, it was Hitaashee’s turn to set the pace with a bogey-free 5 under par 67, seeing three other Indians in the top 10.

The 21-year-old daughter of an Indian army officer was at 7-under 137, one shot ahead of Germany’s Verena Gimmy (68-70) and 17-year-old amateur Zara Anand (68-70) at 6-under 138.

Pranavi Urs (72-67) rose to fourth alongside Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini (71-68) at 5-under 139, while Vani (67-74) tied for seventh at 3-under 141 with Singapore’s Shannon Tan and England’s Alice Hewson.

Sweden’s Lisa Petterson (71-69) took sole possession of fourth place at 4 under 140.

But due to a late double-bogey on the 17th hole, when her tee shot took longer than expected, Zara, with coach Amit Dube on the bag, could well have been in the lead, but bounced back nicely with a birdie on 18th.

The US-bound teen was unfazed by the blip, later saying: “I got the heart rate up a little bit there. My tee shot went through the fairway into the rough.”

Changing challenge

“I’m just enjoying every shot and every moment and taking it as it comes. I’m just looking forward to the weekend and just grateful to be here.”

“I don’t really think there’s a code for DLF. Every day is different, every hole is different, but the more I play here, the more comfortable I feel on the greens. I’m just looking forward to the weekend.”

This is the first time that Hitaashee has officiated a Ladies European Tour event. “I feel good, this is my home course,” she said. “My expectations are where they should be and I’m very happy with that.

“Today I teed off at 6:40 am and that’s exactly the time I usually play here on this course. So I felt so normal that even when there was dew on the course, even when it was wet,

“I thought, I’ve played it so many times, that’s just a normal round of golf for me.”

Indian golfers were in the spotlight all day as Hitaashee lit up the morning session, then it was Zara and Pranavi’s turn to shine in the fading evening light.

Teenage amateur Zara Anand, tied for second place, in action on day two of the Hero Women’s Indian Open in Gurgaon on Friday. Image courtesy of HWIO.

Solid rendering

A total of a dozen Indians made the cut, including Avani Prashanth (73-71) and Amandeep Drall (74-70) in a tie for 14th, Durga Nittur (70-75) in a tie for 18th and Ridhima Dilawari (75-72) in a tie for 28th.

Hitaashee’s older sister, Jahanvi (75-73), and Jasmine Shekar (75-73) were tied for 31st, Tvesa Malik (74-75) was at 39th and Diksha Dagar (78-72) was at 46th.

A total of 70 players survived the cut, which came to 8 over 152, allowing defending champion Liz Young of England to reach the weekend rounds at 6 over 150.

Germany’s Gimmy, who was in second place with Zara, said: “I worked really hard but it just didn’t really click. So I’m happy that maybe this week we will find something.”

Go with the flow

“Like I said, I’m just going to try to enjoy it as much as I can. I’ve always wanted to come here, so I’m glad I can.”

Pranavi, who had three birdies on either side of the course, said: “I think my putts dropped today.

“I was more involved with the online starting and the speed and all that. So it was good. The putting was the change in the game from yesterday and today.”

“Definitely, I’m a lot more confident than I was a few months ago. I always know I can do well, but to actually do it and finish in the top 5 is like a booster that I got last week and hopefully I can carry that into this week.”

Also read: Vani leads at Hero Women’s Indian Open as Indians start well

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