Avani Prashanth leads Indians Into weekend at PIF Saudi Ladies International

Three of the five Indians in the field advanced to the weekend at the US $5 million PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club, with Avani Prashanth leading the group after two rounds.

Avani followed her opening 3-under 69 with a gritty 1-under 71 to move to 4-under for the tournament and sit tied 35th at the halfway stage.

Aditi Ashok, a five-time Ladies European Tour winner, added a 3-under 69 to reach 3-under total and was tied 43rd. Pranavi Urs also stayed in the mix, rebounding strongly with a bogey-free 69 after an opening 73 to reach 2-under and sit tied 51st.

Diksha Dagar narrowly missed the cut, slipping out by one shot after a 2-over 74 left her at 1-under for the week. Hitaashee Bakshi (74-72) also missed out.

Avani’s round featured an impressive recovery. Starting from the 10th, she was 2-over through six holes before fighting back with birdies on the 18th, fifth and seventh to ensure she remained under par for the day and comfortably inside the cut line.

Aditi, out early from the first tee, bounced back from a bogey on the second with four birdies and no further drops to post another steady sub-70 score.

At the top of the leaderboard, England’s Mimi Rhodes held the lead at 11-under after a second-round 69 to add to her opening 64. South Africa’s Cassandra Alexander (67-67) was one shot back at 10-under, alongside Japan’s Chizzy Iwai (65-69).

With three Indians through to the weekend, Avani, Aditi and Pranavi now have the chance to climb the leaderboard over the final two rounds in Riyadh.

Photo – LET