Diksha Dagar remained the best-placed Indian after the third round of the Women’s Australian Open, carding a second straight 2-over 74 to sit tied 39th heading into the final day.
Avani Prashanth followed up her opening 72 with another even-par round to move into tied 47th, while Vani Kapoor slipped down the leaderboard after an 8-over 80 that left her tied 63rd.
At the top, Australia’s Hannah Green moved into the lead after a third-round 4-under 68. The seven-time LPGA winner holds a one-shot advantage heading into the final round as she chases a historic home victory.
Green leads Argentina’s Magdalena Simmermacher by one shot, while Casandra Alexander and Karis Davidson sit four shots back in tied third. The Australian star is aiming to become the first home winner of the Women’s Australian Open since Karrie Webb in 2014.
Simmermacher produced one of the standout rounds of the day with a 5-under 67 that included a spectacular approach on the par-4 17th where she nearly holed out from distance.
Two more Australians remain in contention, with Kirsten Rudgeley and Davidson sharing fourth place alongside overnight leader Celine Herbin.
Czech golfer Jana Melichova recorded the round of the day with a superb 7-under 65 to surge up the leaderboard. The two-time Ladies European Tour winner matched her best 18-hole performance on the circuit as she continues her comeback following back surgery last year.
Melichova sits tied eighth at 3-under alongside Sweden’s Moa Folke as the tournament heads into the final round in Adelaide.
Photo – LET
