Vidhatri Urs recovered brilliantly from three consecutive bogeys at the start to shoot a three-under 69 and take the first-round lead in the 13th leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram.

Playing at the demanding venue that will host next month’s Hero Women’s Indian Open, Vidhatri responded to her early setback with seven birdies and only one further bogey over the remaining 15 holes.

Her 69 gave her a two-shot lead over Jasmine Shekar, who returned a one-under 71. They were the only two players to break par on the opening day.

Diksha Dagar, making a rare appearance on the domestic tour before travelling to Japan for the Asian Games, opened with an even-par 72. She shared third place with Mannat Brar.

Gaurika Bishnoi and Vani Kapoor, both preparing for the Hero Women’s Indian Open, were tied fifth after matching rounds of one-over 73.

Vidhatri, winner of the 10th leg at Zion Hills earlier this season, showed remarkable resilience after dropping shots on each of her first three holes. Back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth began the recovery, although another bogey on the sixth left her two-over.

She erased the deficit with birdies on the eighth and ninth to turn in level par. Vidhatri then played a blemish-free back nine, picking up shots on the 13th, 15th and 18th to claim the outright lead.

Diksha bogeyed the third but recovered with birdies on the fifth, seventh and ninth to make the turn at two-under. She lost momentum on the back nine, however, dropping three shots while making only one birdie to finish at level par.

Jasmine made the strongest start of the day and was four-under through nine holes. Three bogeys after the turn slowed her charge before she traded a birdie and a bogey over the closing two holes to sign for a 71.

Tvesa Malik, Nayanika Sanga and Lavanya Jadon shared seventh place at two-over 74.

Hero Order of Merit leader Ridhima Dilawari was among five players tied for 10th at three-over 75. She was joined by Eti Chaudhary, Karishma Govind, Shreshta Shukla and Sifat Sagoo.

Photo – WGAI