Avani Prashanth climbs to T-22 after 68 at PIF Saudi Ladies International

Avani Prashanth fired a 4-under 68 to climb to tied 22nd heading into the final round of the PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club, continuing to lead the Indian challenge in the US $5 million event.

Avani, one of three Indians to make the cut, moved to 8-under for the week after rounds of 69-71-68. She mixed five birdies with a lone bogey to give herself a chance to push further up the leaderboard on Sunday.

The other Indians in weekend action were Aditi Ashok, tied 54th at 4-under after a third-round 71, and Pranavi Urs, tied 57th at 3-under following another 71. Diksha Dagar and Hitaashee Bakshi missed the cut.

At the top, Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi returned to the lead with a 7-under 65 to reach 15-under, where she is tied with Japan’s Rio Takeda (69-66-66). South Africa’s Cassandra Alexander sits third at 14-under after a 68.

Second-round leader Mimi Rhodes slipped to tied 13th after an even-par 72, moving to 11-under.

With one round to play, Avani remains India’s best-placed hope as the title race tightens at the top in Riyadh.