Women's Golf Association of India

Pranavi Urs top Indian in Spain

Denia, Alicante, Spain, September 21: Pranavi Urs was the top Indian at the La Sella Open this week. After a strong start to the week, Pranavi, who was within the top ten after the opening two rounds, finally ended the week with 2-over 74 and was T-17.

With the weather playing spoilsport the event was reduced to 54 holes but the organizers chose to compensate every player in the field for the inconvenience.

Pranavi, backed by Hero, finished in T-17 after a final round card of 2- over 74 saw her slip out of the top 10. She finished the week at 2-under par (69-71-74). Avani Prashanth was the next best in the Indian contingent and finished at T-27 with a score of even par (74-72-70).

The other Indian players Diksha Dagar, Vani Kapoor and Hitaashee Bakshi failed to make the cut.

Englishwoman Charlotte Heath held her nerve to secure the title by two strokes as she finished the week at 10-under par (68-65-73). The 24-year-old rookie claimed her first title after having started the day four strokes clear only to see her lead rapidly reduce as the round went on. She was able to hold her nerve and finish the day with a two-stroke advantage despite the pressure from her rivals.

Pranavi began her final round with a trio of pars before making a birdie on the fourth. However, a bogey on the ninth, followed by bogeys on the 11th, 13th and 16th saw her slip down the order. She managed to pick up a shot on the 18th hole to recover one of the dropped strokes and finish the week at T-17.

Avani had a very different start to the day as she began her final round with a bogey on the first hole. She rallied back to make birdies on the fourth and seventh holes. She picked up another shot on the 12th hole before dropping a shot on the 13th hole. A fourth birdie of the day on the 15th hole saw her post her best score of the week as she carded 2-under 70 and put herself firmly within the top 30 after a less-than-ideal start to the week.

Heath had put together strong first and second rounds and had a very strong lead of four strokes over the rest of the field as she came into the third and final round with a score of 11-under par. The rookie had a much quieter final round as she made three bogeys and a birdie to just about hold onto the lead in a tense final day.